Many times, the daily occurrences of the nursery pass us by without notice or fanfare. We often take for granted both the simple and the complex movements of the farm: the flight of birds, the movement of water, and the sun’s ever changing position in our everyday lives.

One creature I often cross paths with is a blue heron who, like me, calls this farm her home. I first noticed her about 7 or 8 years ago while I was tagging trees in springtime with a municipal forester. Over the years, she has become a companion and a reminder that we share the land with many seen and unseen neighbors.

Upon our first introduction to each other, our relationship has become slightly more comfortable over the years. At first, my long-legged friend was shy and kept a low profile while fishing for her meal. Nowadays, she surprises me around every corner as she keeps an eye on the workings of the nursery. 

Over the course of time, I have attempted to snap a photo of my neighbor to no avail. Photos simply do not give this graceful bird justice. She waits just long enough for me to get my camera ready and snickers at the lens as she flies slowly away. She is an elusive subject that refuses to give me the pose I need for a photo that is in focus or a video that shows off her awkwardly-elegant takeoff. Soon she is gliding upward, only to level off and stay just above the canopy as if to lead a predator astray. 

So as an observer of all things interesting, I watch her glide until she has made herself invisible again. I know that she will make herself available soon: if I am patient. Most days she alights in an area of the nursery we are both vying for. She waits for me to take a blurry photo or a poor video of the tail end of this modern day, prehistoric-looking bird.

Fall is getting colder with each passing day. Soon, my daily routine will consist of trying to stay warm during the Midwestern winter, while my friend will seek warmer climes with fresh open water for her next catch. I will look forward to our next encounter, much like I look forward to the next spring: with fresh eyes and a hope that the planting, growing, and harvest of next season will be prosperous not only for the farm, but for our neighbors and the community with whom we share the land.  

Jamie Thomas, Spring Grove Nursery