Tag: great blue heron

On Today’s Bike Ride: New Trail and Blue Heron

After a brutal, snowy winter followed by an exceptionally wet spring, Freida and I are hitting the trails again. I was able to add a new experience to my new experiences list today thanks to the city adding a new section of trail into the network.

The Perche Creek Trail branches off from the MKT and eventually will extend to allow easy travel.

Paved bike trail approaching a bridge. Sign says Perche Creek Trail.

Oh, look! One of my favorite things–a bridge!

Paved trail bridge with tall rails on either side.

Scan the QR code to learn more. Phase 2 is scheduled to be complete in 2027.

Sign on bridge: "Perche Creek Phase 2 Development.
Anticipated opening of phase 2, Fall, 2027.

But for now, if you don’t want to lift your bicycle over a guardrail and continue on the road (which I know people have and do), it’s kind of a dead end.

paved trail ending at guardrail with road on other side. Red pickup on road.

But it’s a pleasant ride, and I got to see a blue heron.

Great blue heron in mud at edge of large puddle
Pondering

I hope to get out for a ride at least once a week and build my stamina back up. Today’s ride was 13-14 miles or so roundtrip. Not too bad. Here’s to more pedaling adventures!

On Today’s Walk: Visitor to the Neighborhood

I nearly didn’t take a walk today. It’s cold and I had to work yesterday, meaning I’m behind on weekend household stuff. But see what I would have missed. This is the reward for my effort.

Great blue heron
First time seeing a great blue heron in this park

I went to the park near my house, the one I’ve walked through hundreds of times. As I approached the footbridge over the creek, something with an enormous wingspan flew down to the water. I’ve seen a variety of birds around here over the years, but never before a great blue heron.

I watched it for a long time as it waded down the length of the creek, bobbing its head into the water occasionally, once coming up with food it swallowed. The Audubon Society website says this is its normal mode of feeding. After a while, I moved off the bridge and, using all my stealth, made my way down the path wending by the water. I stalked that heron like I was David Attenborough.

  • great blue heron
  • Blue heron

Eventually, a couple of other walkers came by, one with a dog and the other playing an audio book out loud. The heron decided to take its leave. Ah well. It was time for me to go home and do something about dinner, anyway.

I’d like to thank the world for the fun surprise today.