After dropping Shaan off at the Montgomery Farmers Market, I went straight to the Preserve, hoping for a quiet stroll and some easy, colourful shots. The parking lot, which used to be a muddy patch of grass, had been cleared out and resurfaced with gravel a few years back—a welcome improvement for hikers who no longer have to worry about getting stuck after a heavy rain. I managed to find a spot near the pond, although the lot was already half-full with other early risers soaking up the gentle October warmth.
[](https://islandinthenet.com/sourland-mountain-preserve-17/ )Sourland Mountain Preserve · 5 October 2024 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WRI had my Fuji X-T3 and, out of habit, packed a few lenses and a tripod. I didn’t expect to need all that, but I’m sure any fellow photographers will understand—it’s hard not to overpack. In the end, I just grabbed the XF16-55mm lens, slung the camera bag around my shoulders, and set off across the grass toward the northern end of the pond. The morning air had that early autumn crispness to it—cool enough to feel refreshing but not yet carrying the bite of winter. I stopped, set up the tripod, and took a quick shot of the pond.
As I wandered along, I started to hear the distant calls of birds. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a flash of movement—a bird darting low over the pond’s surface, only to vanish into one of the tall trees that lined the water. Curious, I moved a bit closer to the pond’s edge, hoping for a clearer view. That’s when I spotted it—a Green Heron, calmly patrolling the shore, totally intent on the water in front of it. The wildflowers I’d come for slipped from my mind.
[](https://islandinthenet.com/green-heron-butorides-virescens-2/ )Green Heron (Butorides virescens) · 5 October 2024 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WRI couldn’t believe my luck. I’d never been this close to a heron before. I jogged back to the car for my XF150-600mm lens, hoping it wouldn’t spook—and luck was on my side. Watching it fish was unexpectedly calming. For the next thirty minutes, I stood still, watching as the heron patiently stalked the water, its beak darting down to pull up a wriggling prize each time. There was something soothing about the bird’s movements—a steady rhythm of patience and precision that contrasted with my own quiet excitement. This wasn’t the thrill of spotting a hawk in flight, but it had its own charm.
[](https://islandinthenet.com/green-heron-butorides-virescens-3/ )Green Heron (Butorides virescens) · 5 October 2024 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WRBy the time the morning was warming up, I’d shifted my attention to the other bird I noticed on the far side of the pond, walking along the grass near the large trees. I hadn’t taken a single shot of wildflowers, but I didn’t mind. This little encounter had been a reminder of how nature can surprise you when you’re least expecting it.
