Heron again

Dear Web,

Almost every night over the last month or so, after I get home from work, Beetle and I 'do our rounds'. I let her loose from her fenced in yard and we go down to the pond to check the water flow. Then we check some other things, make our way back around the pond from the creek and back up the other side of the house to her yard again. We both really like this and so far Beetle hasn't seen or chased any wild animals (ie the bears who have been visiting recently).

Tonight though, Beetle stirred up a heron who was down in the creek! Her awkward squawk and huge body jumped up into the air and she flapped a few strokes only to land a bit away. I called Beetle immediately not wanting her to pursue this exquisite prehistoric looking bird. And strangely enough, Beetle came to me. Usually when Beetle goes into her chasing mode, she's hard to break out of her trance. But she came right to me this time. I was stunned both to find this incredible creature so close and because Beetle seemed to just stir her up so I could see her, nothing else.

Herons have been long associated with the legendary Phoenix in some cultures.

In Love,
Melissa