This beautiful heron, or others of his kin, live somewhere near the Torrente San Francesco, which flows down our mountain to Rapallo. He is frequently to be seen fishing in various spots along the Torrente, but has always especially favored this small dam, under which the little fish like to congregate in a sort of heron buffet. I’m glad I took the above photo, because the very next day this is what I found when I came down the hill:
What a mess! And gone is the little dam where the heron fished.
On a related topic, there is some talk of widening Via Bette, the narrow street that runs along the Torrente. Closer to town than the section pictured above, the street is lined with shops on the non-river side. Frequently vehicles stop on the river side of the road (‘for just a moment!’) so people can do a bit of quick shopping; it can be a matter of some ingenuity to get two cars going in opposite directions past one another. And when the bus comes: che casino!
(Note that there are pedestrians on the river side, walking in the street – it’s so much nicer to walk near the water, and people often do, not only putting themselves at risk, but further constricting the available space for cars.) What is distressing about the road-widening project is that it calls for covering over the Torrente. That will eliminate not only more fishing for the heron (who, in fact, usually doesn’t fish near the shops) but also paddling and family-raising space for the many ducks who live there.
There are also proposals for two new tunnels – one from the Autostrada to Santa Margherita Ligure, and one from Via Bette to the Val Fontanabuona, the valley on the other side of our mountain. I hope that the road-widening project, like the tunnel projects, will remain in the talking stage for many years. It will be some consolation to the poor heron, who has lost his seat at the all-you-can-eat special.
All is not lost for the heron though. The destruction in the top photo is the beginning stage of a new bridge across the Torrente to serve the houses on the hill above. Fish like to congregate under bridges; maybe the heron’s smorgasbord will return. I hope so.
An Ex-Expatriate 
Behind our office, there is small naviglio, There are many ducks,
approx 60-70. After lunch at company cafeteria, I and some
young colleague walk around there and feeding some
pieces of bread stealed from cafeteria. This is real peaceful
time. In Seoul, I could not imagine this kind of nature,
office nearby.
I want to install one signboard there, “SS duck santuary.”!
Cheers!!! *-* missing you, Heejung
I’m surprised some enterprising employee isn’t taking a duck now and then for dinner! It sounds like a lovely, peaceful park – how great to have it right behind your office. Your sign is a good idea! I imagine Seoul is much bigger and more crowded than Milano, no?
A happy thought for the heron: at least he/she is certain Not to end up on a festive Thanksgiving platter. Best to you and the Captain for a serene festa.
Ha ha! Too true. Your comment reminds me of the Stan Freberg sketch about how the turkey was supposed to be our national bird and the eagle was supposed to be served at the first Thanksgiving, which you might be able to hear here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ESaZSB3h2k. E buona festa anche a voi.
Poor little chap! I’m sure he will find some where else to fish – herons are pretty enterprising uccellini – but it is always sad to see the impact human activity can have. My parents have been called upon in the past to provide homes for all sorts of creatures whose habitat has been destroyed by construction in the UK, usually of roads. Very sad.
It is sad when we steal the animals’ habitat. I’m hoping the bridge will be a not unpleasant addition to the heron’s life – once it gets built – should be finished in another 10 years, don’t you think?
That’s a great shot of a heron…I can never get close enough or zoom in fast enough before they fly away. They are such beautiful creatures to look at.
This one is particularly accustomed to people, I think – he let me get about 15 feet, and was just starting to look a little edgy; but he stayed put. I love to see the white ones up in the rice fields, but have never been able to get close to one of them…
Oh no, this is sad. Let’s hope he flies to a new home and is safe. Reminds me of the heron at hung around the backyard of my fathers house when I was a kid. Such strange creatures.
Love to see them flying with their legs stretched out behind – they look like kites.
I have seen the heron at Rapallo, and have also taken a photo. Of course, it may not be the same one. I hope he/ she finds a new place to fish. We have a huge heron’s nest in a tree high above our apartment. It has been here at least as long as I have. I sometimes see the birds up there, but they must fish in a different part of the river as I never see them fishing.
What a thrill to see the nest… do you see the babies? We’ve seen stork nests up in Piemonte – the babies are huge. I bet heron babies are rather large too.