Looking Forward to 2022 – Meandering

“Looking Forward to 2022” – “Meandering”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Backstory to photo:

My family was on St. Simons Island for Thanksgiving. We spent a long weekend there. I looked forward to photographing the shorebirds.

St. Simons has a plethora of shorebirds. Since I was raised there and have shot a lot on the island, I know which part of the beach will typically yield the most birds.

 I got out early one morning, and the following morning, I was out at dawn. I am not a morning girl. Never have, never will, so it is hard for me to get out by sunrise to shoot.

This particular morning, I saw a great egret and a snowy egret looking for breakfast in the distance. I took my shoes off, crossed the water, and sat on a rock, watching them as they meandered. 

I like the landscape view with the egret walking around.

“Looking Forward to 2022”

As well as reflecting on a year, I also like to look forward to the new year. Although, I know it says in the scriptures, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Proverbs 27:1, NIV).

My husband and I are on the clasp of building a new house. It will be our forever home which will sit on the top of a hill overlooking a lake. We will get to see the sunset from our front porch. Talk about something to look forward to!

I’ve also been writing a book for almost two decades. Sometimes, I will diligently work on it, and other times I will lay it down for long periods. 

It is a book the Lord laid on my heart to write about my Mom’s death from ALS. The book continues to cover other deaths I have gone through. I took a massive leap of faith and hired an editor.

I look forward to what the Lord has for my book. 

I continue to see the Lord using me where He has me planted. It is exciting to see Him work and use this weak vessel to grow His kingdom.  

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

If you missed my "Looking Back" post, click here.

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia

Henry

“Henry”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Henry is the resident great egret at the Sham Creek Park Pier in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The fishermen there feed him from their catch and sometimes their bait.

He is a very picky eater!  Paul, a fisherman, gave me a shrimp and when I tried to entice Henry with it, he turned up his nose. Another fisherman gave him a large minnow—he devoured it quickly! He then turned his nose up again at the shrimp.

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

The Three Amigos

“The Three Amigos”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

A long wooden walkway meanders through the rookery at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in Florida. At the end of the boardwalk was a great egret nest. 

I was mesmerized as I watched three chicks in the nest. The little guys can be fierce with each other. I don’t like thinking about the dominant chicks and how they can end up stabbing the little ones to death.

Most of my time photographing was spent at this nest. I probably could have stood there all day, but I wanted to also photograph the spoonbill nest.  

I can’t wait to go back!!

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

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Jumping Jack Egret

"Jumping Jack Egret"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

While I was at Magnolia Plantation In Charleston, South Carolina, I enjoyed watching the egrets build their nests. This egret was looks like he is doing a jumping jack before he lands in the top of a tree.

Along the Shore

"Along the Shore"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I found this reddish egret one morning on the beach at St. Simons Island, Georgia. When I first found him, he was looking for breakfast in the tide pools near the dunes.

This is my favorite photograph of him as he walked along the shore. It shows the huge waves crashing behind him.

Caddy Wonky

"Caddy Wonky?"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

As I look at this snowy egret, I notice his legs are caddy wonky. One leg is going in one direction, and the other is a different direction. Maybe it's because I moved and he decided to change directions.

I don't know if I made up this term or if I am spelling it right. Google does not recognize it. Anyone ever heard this term?

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia

Beautifully Designed

"Beautifully Designed"
Judy Royal Glenn Photography

While at the swamp at the Magnolia Plantation, I loved to photograph the egrets. It was mating season, so they were very active building their nests. 

The patch of neon green on the egret which occurs during mating season is beautiful. God's creatures are so amazing!

Location: Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, South Carolina

In Search Of

"In Search Of"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Birds have to search daily for their next meal, which means birds like the egret can be found near water. When I am on St. Simons Island, Georgia, I love looking for large water birds. I found this guy in the marsh near East Beach. 

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia

Windblown Egret

"Windblown Egret"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

While I was enjoying sneaking up on this reddish egret, he was sneaking up on his breakfast. He posed for me with his natural windblown look. 

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia 

Who's Chasing Who?

"Who's Chasing Who?" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia

A Different Side

"A Different Side" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

I rarely shoot silhouettes. When I saw this reddish egret on St. Simons Island, Georgia, I liked the bokeh (the out-of-focused areas of a photo) in the water. I knew I could not get close enough to use my flash, so I decided to make it into a black and white silhouette photo.  

Location: the beach on St. Simons Island, Georgia

Exposed

"Exposed"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

I found this egret on St. Simons Island, Georgia. It was around 3 o'clock, so the sun was harsh. 

I knew the feathers of the egret would be blown out if I was not careful. I had to change my exposure compensation greatly. The background is really dark, but the egret is exposed properly.

The Masked Bandit

"The Masked Bandit" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography  

Another first for me is seeing the white egret during breeding season. Usually the area on each side of the bird's head between the upper base of the beak and the eye is yellow. This area is referred to as the lore. During mating season, the lore is a beautiful shade of green.

For spring break this year, I went to the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge. There were several photographers there photographing the various birds building their nests in the brush over Woody pond. This egret went into the woods to break off a branch to build its nest. 

Location: Townsend, Georgia

Gobble Gobble!

"Gobble Gobble!"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

 

A photograph I took of a Snowy egret this morning.  I thought it was a very fitting title because tomorrow is Thanksgiving!  Happy Thanksgiving!!  Thanks for visiting my blog:)

How's This Pose?

"How's This Pose?"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography  

Location:  Altamaha Wildlife Management Area  -  near Darien, Georgia

Flushed

"Flushed"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

 

I was stalking a bird as usual, and this Great Egret was flushed out of a creek by two college girls while they were running.  He flew to the top of this bush which was a better shot.  Sometimes people can help your photos.  

 

Location:  St. Simons Island, Georgia