Recently, Cory and I decided we would go on a bike ride around the Snail and Grass Lakes, right here in Shoreview, MN. We carried my camera equipment just in case there was any photo opportunities. We started on our ride around 10 a.m. We decided that before the trails we would hit up one of our favorite restaurants for brunch, A Taste of Scandinavia. A Taste of Scandinavia, is a restaurant that has some, what seem to us at least, very traditional Scandinavian dishes which include Spinach Pies, Swedish Meatballs, Pickled Fish, and everything served with Lefse (a type of flat bread akin to tortillas). Among my favorite things at this restaurant are their smoothies, especially the Lingonberry Smoothie. I had never heard of Lingonberries before we moved to MN, but this smoothie is the perfect way to start a day of bike riding.
We left A Taste of Scandinavia and continued on our journey. We decided to stop by Grass Lake first. The water here is murkier and slimier with a lot of downed branches and trees in the northwestern part of the lake, perfect for scurrying critters to hide from larger predators. While cycling the path around Grass Lake, we came across this Green Heron, which was clearly interested in what was in the murky water. As it walked along some logs, we propped up our bikes and I readied my camera.
I managed to snap several pictures as it repeatedly stretched and occasionally dove for its prize. It was cool to see the focus and dexterity of this heron as it caught and ate the tiny fishes. Green Herons are about 1/3 the size of the Great Blue Heron, but in a lot of ways, I think they have more character. Definitely fun to watch.
Though not the best lighting, I kind of like this picture of the green heron. I caught the heron, possibly mid-flap, possibly about to land. Not sure, but in mid-air, wings outstretched, green and maroon feathers, and almost upright, which I think is odd for a bird in flight. Oh and if you look close it has a greenish mohawk. I don't know, just thought this was a fun image.
In all our outing was about 5-6 hours, with about 1 hour for brunch, 3 hours for photos and only 2 hours of biking. Oh well, who needs exercise anyway, when you have beautiful things around you.