A great blue heron and a golden afternoon on the water

We hightailed it to the river late Saturday afternoon for our fourth last float of the summer.

Just like the other three, we giggled a little as we dipped ourselves into that chilly water. As this bonus summer in Wisconsin stretches on, we feel like kids playing hooky from winter. It’s there alright, waiting on the other side of this glorious fall. But, until winter yanks us by the earlobe and hauls us back to ice and snow, we’re going to have some fun.

We’re not the only ones.

Just a few yards into our float, I spotted a great blue heron. I thought it looked stern with its disapproving posture and stiff upper beak. Little did I know!

Just as I hauled my cellphone out to take a picture, the heron flew away. I figured we’d irritated that majestic bird with our presence, and that thought offended me.

“It’s our river too,” I muttered.

Great herons must have great hearing because, guess what? The heron flew back, this time landing on the other bank.

We stayed still as that big ole bird as we floated past again, four eyeballs glued to two. I slowly raised my phone and the heron took off again.

“Argh,” I said. “I got a video, but not a very good one.”

To my glee, the heron flew towards us again, this time settling on the east bank.

“I think she’s messing with us!” I said, delighted with the game.

Slowly, we floated past. This time, I kept my phone camera trained on her and, when that great blue flirt took off again, I recorded her flight.

Such majesty! Such mischief!

One last time the heron zipped our way and landed on the bank near us. I wanted to high five her elegant wing, but that seemed like it might break some sort of fourth wall. Instead, I nodded and I’m telling you, that heron nodded back.

Then she flew away, possibly chased away by another great bird. Because right behind the heron swooped a bald eagle and it landed on a high dead branch near us.

Honestly, it felt like a dream. I stood in that cold water for the longest time staring at that eagle and willing it to fly toward me so I could get a better picture. We had a little standoff and I chuckled at the thought of playing chicken with a bird.

The eagle won that round. Eventually, I had to turn away and finish my float.

There’s still magic in these sunny days and peace where we can find it.

Let’s go!