Here is a good example of the breeding colors of a Little Blue Heron. I think these changes happen around April, they fade in mid summer. Even then their deep slate is beautiful (and so dark near impossible to photograph).
Little Blue Heron
Even their bill takes on a vivid purple shade.
Little Blue HeronLittle Blue Heron
The ultimate image is to catch the bird up close, with bright sun behind them. I have not been that lucky this year.
Little Blue Heron
This season a Little Blue colony has been nesting in a spot that is difficult to photograph. They prefer thickets. Still I have at least caught a few as they wander into the open.
This is a good example of the Egret mates in comparison to the Great Blue.
Egrets can also greet their partner on a return to the nest. But it is almost aggressive each time.
Loud Greeting, Great Egret
It sometimes looks like they need to reintroduce themselves each time. Better yet, it’s not uncommon for an Egret to charge into a rookery, swoop down to his nest all excited… and get attacked.
Church Stained Glass – click to enlargeChurch Stained Glass – click to enlarge
These have been published before as part of the Church Of The Good Shepard project.
In 2015 we worked on multiple projects photographing cathedrals and old churches in various countries. One of my favorites was right on our back door, the Colt Firearms built Church in Hartford, Connecticut.
The Pullman Car Company, founded by George Pullman, manufactured railroad cars in the mid-to-late 19th century through the early decades of the 20th century, during the boom of railroads in the United States. Its workers initially lived in a planned worker community (or “company town”) named Pullman. Pullman developed the sleeping car, which carried his name into the 1980s. Pullman did not just manufacture the cars: he also operated them on most of the railroads in the United States, paying railroad companies to couple the cars to trains. The labor union associated with the company, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, which was founded and organized by A. Philip Randolph, was one of the most powerful African-American political entities of the 20th century. The company also built thousands of streetcars and trolley cars for use in cities. (Details from Wikipedia click here)
Pullman Rail Cars – Click To Enlarge
I spent 2 days riding in a Pullman sleeping car, after the first day I felt trapped. But it could have been worse, well it was since at the end of the trip my head was shaved and the US Army claimed me (the 60’s, everyone was there).
For decades, during the big days of train travel, Pullman was considered Luxury.
Pullman Rail Cars – Click To Enlarge
Most of my life, and really not all that long ago, we had heavy, quality, wool blankets in my family all stamped Pullman Company. I don’t know, don’t want to…previous generation thing.
Pullman Rail Cars – Click To Enlarge
All photographs here taken at the Connecticut Valley Railroad yards, June 2017. They use restored Pullman cars for tourist trips, dinner cars, and train rides to a river boat. Very cool, and the yards never have had a problem with me wandering around.
