Story Behind Image

Tranquility and Turbulence /  by Todd Henson

Tranquility and Turbulence, a Great Blue Heron watches the water rushing by below

Great Blue Herons are amazing creatures I’ve photographed many times, and hope to many times more. They can be showy and raucous, especially when around other herons competing for territory or mates. But they can also be such patient, quiet, and unmoving creatures.

Today’s photograph is of a Great Blue Heron standing on the rocks over the Potomac River at Great Falls, large quantities of water rushing by below. I’m always amazed by the contrast between the turbulence of the water and the seeming tranquility of the heron as it somehow gazes below the surface of the river searching out its next meal.

I love photographing at Great Falls. The sounds of the water act like white noise, almost drowning out other sounds, helping me focus on what I’m viewing. And the amazing speed and motion of the water keeps my attention, hypnotizing with its patterns and rhythms. I sometimes get lost in the scene.

The river can be very violent, depending on the water level. And yet, Great Blue Herons are still able to find places to fish, even in such fast moving water. They stand, perfectly still, surveying the water below. As seen in the photo, it can often be very muddy, and yet they see the fish below its surface. And as still as they often stand, it’s a real wonder to watch them when they finally lash out towards the water, beak opening to grasp a fish, forked tongue hooking the fish and pulling it in.

Have I mentioned how much I love Great Blue Herons? 😁

One Blue Ridge Morning /  by Todd Henson

One Blue Ridge Morning: A sunrise scene from atop the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park

I’m not an early riser, so I always find it challenging driving out to Shenandoah National Park in time for sunrise. And you never know exactly what the weather will be like when you arrive. You may drive right into a dense cloud bank, unable to see anything beyond a few feet in front you. Or, you may arrive to the scene you see above, with a beautiful gradation of colors in the sky, the sun not yet above the horizon, and that dense cloud bank in the valley below.

Motivation is a battle for some of us. It’s so much easier, and at the time feels so much better, curling up in that warm bed for a couple extra hours. But on those days when we manage to overcome inertia and get out early enough, especially on those days we encounter scenes like that above, it makes all that effort worth while. And it’s moments like this that drive us to make every effort to do it again, to rise early, to get out there and search out the next beautiful scene.

Alas, it’s still not all that often I manage this. But it does give me something to strive for.

Autumn Blue /  by Todd Henson

Autumn Blue: An early October view from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Shenandoah National Park

Standing atop the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in autumn, facing west, I look out over the Shenandoah Valley and the long Massanutten Mountain which stretches down its center. Even further out are the Appalachian Mountains.

I breath in. The air is crisp this time of year, and has that fresh smell you’ll find atop forested mountains.

It’s a quiet moment on a calm, cloudy morning.

Life is good.

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