A large, grayish heron of drier habitats; note distinctly dark cap and nape contrasting with white throat. In-flight, the underwing is strongly contrasting black-and-white. The juvenile is duskier and duller. Juveniles resemble juvenile Gray Herons, juvenile Black-headed Herons have slate-gray rather than yellow legs. Gray Heron also has uniformly gray (not black-and-white) underwings.
It often feeds in shallow water, spearing fish or frogs with its long, sharp bill. It will also hunt well away from water, taking large insects, small mammals, and birds. It will wait motionless for its prey, or slowly stalk its victim.
The black-headed heron is largely sedentary, meaning that they will only migrate in response to a depletion of food. They are happy to nest in colonies of mixed bird species, often consisting of as many as 200 other birds. Generally, they hunt alone, but are not opposed to the idea of hunting while in a loosely-congregated feeding flock. A heron may travel up to 30 kilometers a day between its preferred feeding ground and its roost. This is a monogamous bird, sticking to one partner for life.
Herons usually breed in the wet season in colonies in trees, reedbeds, or cliffs using sticks, leaves and straw .
The male will use a loud yelp to attract a mate. Once the breeding pair has mated, she will build the nest from the materials that he gathers and then she will lay between 2 and 4 eggs in it. Both the male and the female are responsible for incubating the eggs until they hatch. Little is known about these chicks until they fledge, which happens at around 52 days of age, a week after which they become completely independent of the care of their parents.
Up to 35 breeding pairs can be found in one large tree, making this a very social, gregarious time for the adult birds.
Black-headed Heron, Ardea melanocephala, Tsaarbank, West Coast National Park
Black-headed Heron, Ardea melanocephala, Tsaarbank, West Coast National Park
Black-headed Heron, Ardea melanocephala, Tsaarbank, West Coast National Park
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” ~Frank Lloyd Write
Thank you very much for taking the time to read my post. I hope you also learned something new today.
Have a fabulous day. Till next time, please stay safe and healthy.
Am I asleep, am I awake, or somewhere in between? I can’t believe that you are here and lying next to me Or did I dream that we were perfectly entwined? Like branches on a tree, or twigs caught on a vine?
Like all those days and weeks and months I tried to steal a kiss And all those sleepless nights and daydreams where I pictured this, I’m just the underdog who finally got the girl And I am not ashamed to tell it to the world
Truly, madly, deeply, I am Foolishly, completely falling And somehow you kicked all my walls in So baby, say you’ll always keep me Truly, madly, crazy, deeply in love with you In love with you
Should I put coffee and granola on a tray in bed And wake you up with all the words that I still haven’t said? And tender touches, just to show you how I feel Or should I act so cool like it was no big deal?
Wish I could freeze this moment in a frame and stay like this I’ll put this day back on replay and keep reliving it ‘Cause here’s the tragic truth if you don’t feel the same My heart would fall apart if someone said your name
And truly, madly, deeply, I am Foolishly, completely falling And somehow you kicked all my walls in So baby, say you’ll always keep me Truly, madly, crazy, deeply in love with you
I hope I’m not a casualty, I hope you won’t get up and leave May not mean that much to you But to me it’s everything, everything
Truly, madly, deeply, I am Foolishly, completely falling And somehow you kicked all my walls in So baby, say you’ll always keep me Truly, madly, crazy deeply in love (in love) with you (with you), In love (in love) with you (with you) In love (in love) with you (with you) With you, oh!
Thank you for your ongoing support and taking the time to have a look at my post.
Ogies slept next to me the whole night. She stayed put even the three times I had to go to bathroom. One can see the nights are getting colder she is snuggling up against you much more.
Oh my word the first quarter of the year is coming to an end today. Only a few hours left. Why is time going by so fast?
According to the weather forecast we are having a another cool day today. 19°C and gentle breeze in the morning picking up later today.
On my To-Do List for today.
Edit.
Do yesterday forgotten Throwback Thursday post🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Schedule some posts.
Go to shop.
Read.
Prepare dinner.
Thank you for your ongoing support and taking the time to look at my post.
“The thought manifests as the word. The word manifests as the deed. The deed develops into habit. And the habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care. And let it spring from love, born out of concern for all beings.” ~Buddha
Thank you with all my heart for stopping by. Thank you for your continued support. I am truly grateful for every view, like, follow and comment.
I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish, I’ll be your fantasy I’ll be your hope, I’ll be your love, be everything that you need I love you more with every breath truly, madly, deeply do I will be strong, I will be faithful ’cause I’m counting on A new beginnin’ A reason for livin’ A deeper meaning, yeah
I wanna stand with you on a mountain I wanna bathe with you in the sea I wanna lay like this forever Until the sky falls down on me
And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky I’ll make a wish, send it to heaven and make you want to cry The tears of joy for all the pleasure and the certainty That we’re surrounded by the comfort and protection Of the highest powers In lonely hours The tears devour you
An’ I wanna stand with you on a mountain I wanna bathe with you in the sea I wanna lay like this forever Until the sky falls down on me
Oh, can you see it, baby? You don’t have to close your eyes It’s standin’ right before you All that you need will surely come
Ooh, yeah
I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish, I’ll be your fantasy I’ll be your hope, I’ll be your love, be everything that you need I’ll love you more with every breath truly, madly, deeply do
I wanna stand with you on a mountain I wanna bathe with you in the sea I wanna lay like this forever Until the sky falls down on me
I wanna stand with you on a mountain I wanna bathe with you in the sea I want to live like this forever Until the sky falls down on me
Thank you for your ongoing support and taking the time to have a look at my post.
I hope you all had a peaceful nights rest. I slept like a log.
It is a beautiful cool morning here wih a light drizzle. According to the weather forecast we are having cool day 19°C and windy. The sun rises after 7 in the morning now and it is great to snuggle under the duvet for a hour longer.
On my To-Do List for today.
Complete and submit assignment.
Download last module and scan through it
Edit
Schedule posts for next week. (need to study)
Prepare dinner
Next week I will be spending all of my time studying and completing my last assignment for my photography course. I also have an advanced module I have to work through and complete that assignment. Lucky for me the advanced module is all about setting up a WordPress website. Looking forward to learning some more.
Thank you very much for all your support and taking the time to look at my posts. I am grateful for every view, like, follow and comment I receive.
It’s been seven hours and 15 days Since you took your love away I go out every night and sleep all day Since you took your love away Since you been gone, I can do whatever I want I can see whomever I choose
I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant But nothing I said nothing can take away these blues ‘Cause nothing compares Nothing compares to you
It’s been so lonely without you here Like a bird without a song Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling Tell me baby, where did I go wrong? I could put my arms around every boy I see But they’d only remind me of you
I went to the doctor, guess what he told me Guess what he told me He said, “Girl you better try to have fun, no matter what you do” But he’s a fool
‘Cause nothing compares, nothing compares to you
All the flowers that you planted mama In the back yard All died when you went away I know that living with you baby was sometimes hard But I’m willing to give it another try
Nothing compares Nothing compares to you Nothing compares Nothing compares to you Nothing compares Nothing compares to you
Thank you for your ongoing support and taking the time to have a look at my post.
All of us have negative thoughts, and these negative thoughts are holding us back. Let’s try to live a more positive life by changing the way we think.
As soon as you think….
“I can’t do it”
Change your way of thinking to….
“I don’t know how to do it yet.”
Thank you with all my heart for stopping by. Thank you for your continued support. I am truly grateful for every view, like, follow and comment.
I woke up three times during the night. Dreaming the weirdest dreams. In the first one I was looking for something or someone, I have no idea what or who I was looking for. But I was going in circles. It was near the ocean but also between trees and bushes. Later someone joined me and then we got into an old car and as I started the car I woke up.
Second dream. My mom was in my dream. She said she was craving hot chocolate and Pick ‘n Pay has it on special for R18.99 a tin. Mom loved hot chocolate. R18.99 a tin is a bargain because we pay around R47.00 a tin at the moment.
Third dream, I had guests and was trying to decide what to make for dinner. They chose cheese grillers, salad and rolls for dinner. I went to the store to buy the rolls and ingredients for the salad. In front of me there was a lady buying up a lot of material shopping bags, plates, food, bedding and everything was marked with red R8.00 stickers.
Now call me crazy why is the number 8 so prominent in my dreams? Is the Universe sending me a message? Think I will play the lotto with these numbers…
According to the weather forecast we are having a cool day 20°C with a light breeze in the morning picking up later today.
On my To-Do List for today.
Take kids on outing.
Edit
Prepare dinner
Not much on my To-Do List for today as you can see. I just hope the wind gives us a break. I am taking the kids to the Greenpoint Biodiversity Garden. Hopefully they will get rid of some of their energy.
Thank you for your ongoing support and taking the time to look at my posts.
We left Alford to the next place of interest on our list. Craigievar Castle. The views along the road was stunning and I tried to stop as often as I could.
On Route to Craigievar Castle
Beautiful landscapes on route to Craigievar Castle
Beautiful landscapes on route to Craigievar Castle
Beautiful landscapes on route to Craigievar Castle
Beautiful landscapes on route to Craigievar Castle
Beautiful landscapes on route to Craigievar Castle
Craigievar Castle
Craigievar Castle, Alford, Scotland
Craigievar Castle is a pinkish harled castle or fortified country house 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It was the seat of Clan Sempill, and the Forbes family resided here for 350 years until 1963 when the property was given to the National Trust for Scotland by William Forbes-Sempill, 19th Lord Sempill in the 1960s. The setting is among scenic rolling foothills of the Grampian Mountains, the contrast of its massive lower story structure to the finely sculpted multiple turrets, gargoyles, and high corbelling work to create a classic fairytale appearance.
An excellent example of the original Scottish Baronial architecture, the seven-story castle was completed in 1626 by the Aberdonian merchant William Forbes, ancestor of the Forbes baronets of Craigievar and brother of the Bishop of Aberdeen, Patrick Forbes of Corse Castle. Forbes purchased the partially completed structure from the impoverished Mortimer family in the year 1610. He arranged for the continued construction, completing it in 1625 or 1626. Forbes was nicknamed Danzig Willy and Willy the Merchant due to his international trading success with the Baltic states.
Craigievar Castle, Alford, Scotland
By the early 1800s, the tower had fallen into decay. Sir John Forbes had considered demolishing it. He consulted the Aberdeen city architect John Smith who advised against that course of action, stating the tower was: one of the finest specimens in the Country of the age and style in which it was built. He decided to restore the building. Roof repairs were undertaken circa 1826; a timber base covered with slates was used. At about the same time, the towers were altered and raised, and a new entrance door was put in subsequently restoring it to the original entrance.
Re-construction of almost the entire top floor was also completed. The windows, external harling, and pointing were replaced. It is likely Smith also designed the Gardeners cottage.
The castle originally had more defensive elements, including a walled courtyard with four round towers; only one of the round towers remains today. The arched door to the round tower is preserved the carved initials of Sir Thomas Forbes, William Forbes’ son. There is also a massive iron portcullis or gate covering the entrance door named a yett. According to the folklore of the area, the castle is haunted by one or more ghosts.
Craigievar Castle, Alford, Scotland
Craigievar Castle, Alford, Scotland
Craigievar Castle, Alford, Scotland
Craigievar Castle, Alford, Scotland
Following the former owner’s wishes, artificial light has not been installed on the upper floors. This means that the extensive collection of historic artifacts and art is seen by only the shifting light from the sun, as it would have been when they were made.
The grounds are equally bewitching with an unusual Scottish glen garden, two waymarked woodland trails, and Victorian kitchen garden. In early summer, the woodland floor glows with bluebells. Keep an eye out for red squirrels or even pine martens scurrying through the undergrowth.
Field surrounding Craigievar Castle, Alford, Scotland
Craigievar Castle, Alford, Scotland
Flag, Craigievar Castle, Alford, Scotland
Flag, Craigievar Castle, Alford, Scotland
Water well, Craigievar Castle, Alford, Scotland
Craigievar Castle, Alford, Scotland
Thank you very much for taking the time to join me on my travels through Scotland. I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did.
You with the sad eyes Don’t be discouraged Oh I realize It’s hard to take courage In a world full of people You can lose sight of it all And the darkness inside you Can make you feel so small
But I see your true colors Shining through I see your true colors And that’s why I love you So don’t be afraid to let them show Your true colors True colors are beautiful Like a rainbow
Show me a smile then Don’t be unhappy, can’t remember When I last saw you laughing If this world makes you crazy And you’ve taken all you can bear You call me up Because you know I’ll be there
And I’ll see your true colors Shining through I see your true colors And that’s why I love you So don’t be afraid to let it show Your true colors True colors are beautiful Like a rainbow
If this world makes you crazy And you’ve taken all you can bear You call me up Because you know I’ll be there
And I’ll see your true colors Shining through I see your true colors And that’s why I love you So don’t be afraid to let it show
Your true colors True colors True colors Shining through
I see your true colors And that’s why I love you So don’t be afraid to let them show Your true colors True colors are beautiful Like a rainbow
Thank you for your ongoing support and taking the time to have a look at my post.
Over the next few weeks, I am reading, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. Some days I will Quote a page or just give you a summary of what I read and how I understand it. I am just an ordinary person, and I find it interesting how different people and cultures see the world. This is not based on any typical religion. I hope you find it as interesting as I did. Please keep an open mind.
The First Agreement: Be Impeccable with Your Word – Part 5
“There was a woman, for example, who was intelligent and had a very good heart. She had a daughter whom she adored and loved very much. One night she came home from a very bad day at work, tired, full of emotional tension, and with a terrible headache. She wanted peace and quiet, but her daughter was singing and jumping happily. The daughter was unaware of how her mother was feeling; she was in her own world, in her own dream. She felt so wonderful, and she was jumping and singing louder and louder, expressing her joy and her love. She was singing so loud that it made her mother’s headache even worse, and at a certain moment, the mother lost control. Angrily she looked at her beautiful little girl and said, “Shut up! You have an ugly voice. Can you just shut up!”
The truth is that the mother’s tolerance for any noise was nonexistent; it was not that the little girl’s voice was ugly. But the daughter believed what her mother said, and in that moment she made an agreement with herself. After that she no longer sang, because she believed her voice was ugly and would bother anyone who heard it. She became shy at school, and if she was asked to sing, she refused. Even speaking to others became difficult for her. Everything changed in the little girl because of this agreement: She believed she must repress her emotions in order to be accepted and loved.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
The mother hurt her daughters feelings and made her believe she had a ugly voice. This made an impact on the daughters whole life.
How many times do we as parents do the same? We don’t even think of the repercussions. I always tried to give my boys positive feedback. But sometimes when you have a bad day someone else pays the price.
Thank you with all my heart for stopping by. Thank you for your continued support. I am truly grateful for every view, like, follow and comment.
Stay safe and grateful.
Have a Blessed day.
Coreen
Schedule for Gratitude. Love. Positivity Posts
Monday – Practicing Gratitude (Using The Magic by Rhonda Byrne as guideline)
Tuesday & Wednesday – Talk about current book. (The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz)
Thursday – Quote on a photo.
Friday – Refer to something in The daily Teachings by Rhonda Byrne
Saturday and Sunday – Quotes
List Of Books used in Gratitude. Love. Positivity posts:
The Everything Law of Attraction Book by Meera Lester
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
The snow glows white on the mountain tonight Not a footprint to be seen A kingdom of isolation And it looks like I’m the queen
The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside Couldn’t keep it in, heaven knows I’ve tried Don’t let them in, don’t let them see Be the good girl you always have to be Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know Well, now they know
Let it go, let it go Can’t hold it back anymore Let it go, let it go Turn away and slam the door I don’t care what they’re going to say Let the storm rage on The cold never bothered me anyway
It’s funny how some distance makes everything seem small And the fears that once controlled me can’t get to me at all It’s time to see what I can do To test the limits and break through No right, no wrong, no rules for me I’m free
Let it go, let it go I am one with the wind and sky Let it go, let it go You’ll never see me cry Here I stand and here I stay Let the storm rage on
My power flurries through the air into the ground My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast I’m never going back, the past is in the past
Let it go, let it go When I’ll rise like the break of dawn Let it go, let it go That perfect girl is gone Here I stand in the light of day Let the storm rage on The cold never bothered me anyway
Thank you for your ongoing support and taking the time to have a look at my post.
It is school holiday here by us and we have a guest for the week. I am going to work in the mornings and spend time with her the rest of the day.
I had such a great dream. I was in the wild and I came across a pride of lions. I sat on the ground to capture the group a few feet away from me. Someone then told me to look to my side and there he was. The king of the savanna. Just as I got him in in frame he opened his eyes and looked straight into the lense. It felt like he was reading my mind… Then I woke up. I am yearning to do some wildlife photography.
Today is going to be a beautiful day. According to the weather forecast only 24°C with a gentle breeze in the morning picking up later today. They also say we can expect light rain in the evening.
On my To-Do List for today.
Edit.
Write posts.
Spend time with Nicky.
Prepare dinner
Thank you for your support and taking the time to look at my post. Have a Blessed day and keep safe.
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love.” ~Marcus Aurelius
“The easiest and simplest way to ensure that your day ahead will be filled with magic is to fill your morning with gratitude. When you incorporate gratitude into your morning routine, you will feel and see its magical benefits throughout the whole day.
Each morning is full of opportunities to give thanks, and it doesn’t slow you down or take any extra time, because you can do it naturally as you go about everything you do. There is and added bonus to filling your morning with gratitude because your daily routines are the times when you can harm yourself the most by thinking negative thoughts without realizing you’re doing it. There’s no room for harmful negative thoughts when your mind is focused on looking for things to be grateful for. After this practice you will go into your day feeling much happier and more confident that the day ahead will be great – and that’s when you will see the magic happen before your very eyes!
The Magic by Rhonda Byrne
“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.“ ~ J.B. Priestley
When you open your eyes after a good night’s sleep before you make a move, say Thank you. Thank you for being alive, “thank you” for been given another day of life. You must remember every day we wake up is a precious gift. Say thank you for a good night’s rest. Say thank you for the comfortable bed you slept in.
When your feet hit the ground, say thank you. When you enter your bathroom, brush your teeth, take a shower, say thank you. Thank you for a bathroom, thank you for toothpaste and a toothbrush, thank you for running water, thank you for the soap, shampoo, conditioner, cloth, and towel. Thank you for the toilet facilities. Thank you for the clothes and shoes in your wardrobe. Say thank you for every little thing you see and have that makes your life easier.
When you go to the kitchen say thank you. Again say thank you for every little thing you use and have to make your life easier. You don’t have to say it out loud. Just say thank you in your mind.
Daily gratitude routine.
When you wake up to a new day, before doing a single thing say, Thank You.
Say, Thank you for the magical day I am going to have.
From the moment you put your feet on the ground until you finished your morning routine, say the magic words, Thank You, in your mind for everything you touch and use.
Go through my plans for the day in my mind and say, Thank you in advance for it going smoothly.
Say, Thank you for the great news coming to me today!
Count your blessings: Make a list of 10 blessings. Write why you’re grateful for each blessing. Reread your list and say “Thank you, thank you, thank you” Feeling gratitude for each blessing.
Identify 2 relationships and write 5 things you are grateful for in the person. It can be a family member, a friend, a colleague even a pet. During the day say “Thank you, name.”
Say thank your for your different body parts, organs and your senses. Be grateful for each of them.
Four times a day read the words on the card slowly and be grateful for your health. (THE GIFT OF HEALTH IS KEEPING ME ALIVE.)
Four times or more a day look at your Magic Bill and be grateful for the abundance of money you have been given in your life. (THANK YOU FOR ALL THE MONEY I’VE BEEN GIVEN THROUGHOUT MY LIFE.)
While at work, look for things to be grateful for. Say to yourself. ‘I am so grateful for ……….’
Try to go through the day without saying or thinking anything negative. If you think negative thoughts stop immediately and say but I am really grateful for…..
Say, Thank you and be grateful every time you eat of drink something.
When someone perform a service that benefits you, look them in the face and say, Thank you.
For 90 seconds, say Thank you every time you take a step.
Practice my heart magic.
Take 5 deep breaths during the day and say, Thank you for the magical air that I breathe.
Before going to bed, take your magic rock/gratitude rock in your hand and think about all the things to be grateful for that happened the day and say, Thank you.
With all my heart, thank you for your continued support.
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