Hi folks! Rather big week for me personally. I mentioned previously I had a follow-up with my ankle surgeon last Thursday. Have to admit, was pretty apprehensive going in not really knowing what that outcome would be, which ended up being great news and not so great news. On the great front, ankle appears to be healed (as it is probably going to get) and fairly strong. All that rehab work paid off and now officially released to push it even harder and continue getting it to ultra-condition. Then the mood dampener came when he admitted the current level of “pain” will continue for some time – in the 1.5 year range. Apparently the residual level of annoyance still being experienced with shattered elbow will also occur with this latest injury. I can deal with this discomfort now that I know it has structural integrity. Celebrated with a 9 mile run yesterday (longest since the injury back in October 2024) and today went for a 25lb ruck for 7.5 miles on the hardest hills on the Illinois River bluff. I’m back baby hahahaha! As mentioned previously, I am taking a break (to develop the training plan for this October’s 100 miler race) and will be digging into Brad’s adventure queue – did I hear cheers, I think I heard cheers.
Take it away Brad…
How many times have you been birding and taking photographs when you think you know what the bird is in the viewfinder? Happens to me all the time. Not!
After breakfast on our first day in Cairns (pronounced “cans”) in Queensland, northern Australia, Jan and I decided to wander along the waterfront during very low tide. Our assignment from Intrigued HQ was to photograph anything that flies for future stories. Just “up” the beach from our hotel (towards the Equator to the left looking out over the water), a squadron of Australian Pelicans catches Jan’s eye. Off she runs to take some photos. About the same time, this heron-sized bird flies into view and I begin to wander to the right, or “down” the beach, to catch some photos. At first glance, through the tiny viewfinder, I think it’s a Little Blue Heron. It’s about the right size and color. I do notice there are some interesting colors and a bit of what looks like aging on its face. You know how some breeds of dogs (and Intrigued photographers) get white-faced when they are older? That’s what this looked like. I’ve only seen an adult Little Blue one time, but never a really old one. I take a few (dozen) photos and move along. Then my subconscious realizes something didn’t look quite right. Maybe this is a teenager in between juvenile and adult plumage? Nope. A morph with a Snow egret? Again, no dice. This is a whole new bird from what we’ve seen before. In other words, a +1 in birding parlance.
Did some devious clown bird throw a meringue pie in that Heron’s face? Hit the jump to learn more about this intriguing international specimen!
Continue reading White-Faced Heron…by Brad Marks
Wildlife Intrigued 