In 2003, I began photographing a young great blue heron, named "New Blue".
He spent the summer and much of the fall of that year, fishing along the
shoreline of Brown Deer Park Lagoon. He was draped in the modest plumage
of a first-year great blue heron. During those early days of his life,
I found him catching everything from small bullheads to plump, shiny goldfish.
He ate very well that year, and at times became quite at ease with my presence.

But autumn finally came, along with the cold northern winds,
and New Blue eventually left for warmer lands.
Throughout the long cold winter, I wondered, "Would New Blue
return this year to his 'land of plenty fish'? Would he come back
to show off his grand adult plumage, and fish the abundant shores
of Brown Deer Lagoon once again?"

In April, I began to catch short glimpses of his return. He seemed
a bit shy, and I was never able to get a clear photograph of him. He only
allowed me to get brief glimpses of him through my binoculars.

This morning on May 1, 2004, under the cool, overcast skies of a new spring,
New Blue reappeared. I was able to once again share a few quiet moments with him,
as I photographed him in his new, adult plumage.

He now sports a white crest on his head, with long, dark plumes on its side,
and the glorious, long chest feathers of a full grown, adult great blue heron.
New Blue is still somewhat cautious, and when I took these first photographs of 2004,
the physical changes of his feathers might not be obvious if you don't look closely.
But as the year progresses, I believe he will become more at ease with me again.
So please return to this gallery to see recent updates.

New Blue is now truly a "NEW BIRD"!

This new gallery is dedicated to the class of Mrs. Swiggum, New Blue's most dedicated fans!
God bless you all.

Your friend in New Blue,
Mark H. Ehlers