The bird stood still, even as I nudged my kayak nearer through the lily pads.
A green patch atop its head made me think it was a green heron, a smaller cousin of the great blue heron that I see more commonly.
My photos were too fuzzy to make certain.
It might have been a black-crowned night heron or a similarly shaped water bird, a least bittern.
I waited.
So did the bird.
After a few minutes, I risked paddling a few more strokes to get a closer look.
When I moved, so did the bird.
Instead of fleeing, the bird first dunked its bill into the lake.
Then it took flight with its next meal to the shore of the Ice Lakes in Rice Twp.
Even after three decades as a reporter at the Standard-Speaker, Kent Jackson still enjoys meeting people, learning more about the community and sharing stories with readers. He currently covers schools but has reported on local government, health, police and the environment. Regularly, he writes about outdoor sports, wildlife and conservation for the Wildlife page on Sundays. Contact: 570-455-3636; kjackson@standardspeaker.com
