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Great Blue Heron

On a bright fall day, my husband and I are canoeing the Betsie River.  Our favorite stretch is the flooded area above the Grass Lake dam which was created as a habitat for waterfowl.

We steer between high walls of cattails—against a strong wind.  My head is down in fierce concentration but when I glance up, I see how the cattails are dancing.  They bow and sway with such grace, I stop cursing the wind and celebrate this perfect partnership.

High above the river in a dead pine tree, we see two bald eagles—watching us as we watch them.  Further on, we notice a fresh beaver lodge and stare at the swirling water, hoping to see a neat brown head appear.  Oh, there he is.  No, he’s gone.

Suddenly a great blue heron leaps out of the reeds and soars over the river.  We meet him again and again as we paddle around each turn.  He is always standing on a muskrat house—and each time we glide a little closer before he jumps into the sky.  I wish he could trust us enough to stay—to have a conversation.  And then I realize that this is what we’re having.