Thursday – A Little Personal – Update on Peggy the Heron

It has been a while since I have given you an update on my favorite heron. For those who are new Peggy has been in the neighborhood for over four years and she has an injured leg. We call her Peggy even though we are not sure she is a female. Peggy of course is the affectionate term for the fact that one leg is pretty much as if she was a pirate. The quick report is Peggy is doing well. She had a challenge with her bad leg about a month ago and was not getting around too well. She has recovered and is back to her old self.

Here is a photo of Peggy starting her hunt in our backyard.

Peggy

And now she is really concentrating

Peggy

Yes, she managed to get a fish. The next photo is a different time but the same place. Not that the photo is so good but is a matter of tracking her. The afternoon sun made the shot hard to get.

Peggy

With Peggy getting the shot is sometimes hard since she doesn’t like to pose.

Peggy

Here she is fishing along the Gulf shore. I am walking the dogs, and she is always on guard when I have them with me. This next photo shows how she manages to make ends meet.

Peggy

I talked to this group of fisherman, and they had named Peggy Burt.  It appears these guys have been fishing here for four years and “Burt” pays them a visit every time. While I was there, Peggy got four pieces of bait, so it looks like she has some pretty good friends.

All in all, Peggy is doing fine. I hope you liked the update.

59 comments

  1. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

    It always tickles me to hear about Peggy. I’m glad she’s back up to snuff. Have a thriving Thursday, John. Mega hugs!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thunderous Thursday to you, Teagan.

      Like

  2. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen Plano · ·

    This is the cutest story. Peggy or Burt, she or he is clearly known and loved – and has made her mark on your island paradise. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      So true, Gwen. Thanks for the comment. I have to say I was a little taken back since I believed she was ours exclusively. She loves the pond in the back of our house so I only assumed…..sigh. 😀

      Like

  3. janhawke2014's avatar

    I think Peggy/Burt has it all figured out! A great beach babe lifestyle! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I would say. Gets dicey when the tourists arrive though. 🙂 Thanks, Jan

      Like

  4. coldhandboyack's avatar

    I love these Peggy updates.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks, Craig.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    It’s nice to see Peggy making her rounds.I love that she/he greats the fishermen each year. Loved this, John!

    Like

  6. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    She goes by many names. Secret Agent Heron.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha. She is quite well known among the locals. I’ve been pushing the Peggy name, but the fishermen were adamant about Burt. (I don’t blame them) 🙂

      Like

      1. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

        Write the names on fish. The one she eats is the real name. If she eats both then she wins.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Good idea. I’m betting she’ll eat both. That’s like her.

          Like

  7. Dan Antion's avatar

    Thansk for the update, John. Peggy is pretty special. Interesting to see that she’s leading a bit of a double life, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      She kept that side from us for a number of years then…gotcha! Thanks, Dan

      Liked by 1 person

  8. GP's avatar

    She’d make a good children’s story-book, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Super idea. I think you could write it, GP. (You might have to keep the troop carriers and parachutes out of it though) 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. GP's avatar

        Aw jeez, John. You took all the fun out of it now!! 🙂

        Like

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Okay, okay. You are off the hook. Maybe I’ll put this one on my to-do list. Here’s the deal though, I will attribute the idea to you.

          Liked by 1 person

        2. GP's avatar

          You’ve got a deal.

          Liked by 1 person

        3. John W. Howell's avatar

          Good. Done. 😀

          Liked by 1 person

  9. John Fioravanti's avatar
    John Fioravanti · ·

    So nice that Peggy has lots of friends looking out for her/him… not going there! Thanks John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      She is a she. (as fr as we are concerned) 🙂

      Like

  10. macjam47's avatar

    I enjoyed your photos of Peggy. We moved a few months back and no longer sit on the lake. I miss watching our heron each day.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Aw. I would miss Peggy too. Maybe you can watch her with me. 🙂 Thanks, Michelle.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. macjam47's avatar

        Keep those photos coming! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Peggy can be elusive but I will.

          Liked by 1 person

  11. S.K. Nicholls's avatar

    Peggy is much more creative than Burt. But I guess if she/he is dependent on them for support she’ll go by whatever name they choose…lol Bless her heart, She’s doing the best she can.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I know right? Very strong bird Peggy is.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Mae Clair's avatar

    Great Peggy update. It’s so good to know she’s doing well.

    I love how people tag names onto creatures who enter their orbit. Peggy and Burt. I wonder how many other names she might have from still others who know her!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’ll bet a few. Funny how we think we are the only ones who care for her. 😀 Thanks, Mae.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    Peggy is a stunning creature!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Staci Troilo's avatar

    A duck ended up nesting in our front flower bed one year. We named her Disco. Even though she wasn’t ours, she was ours. Just like your Peggy (which is a far better name than Burt). Glad to see she figured out how to “hunt” with the fishermen.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      She sure knows how. Thanks Staci.

      Like

  15. Lynn's avatar

    I suspect “Peggy” is happy to go by whatever name someone wants to call her/him, particularly if you have bait or fish to give her!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think that is true. Thanks, Lynn

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister's avatar

    Peggy Burt knows where it’s at! I like how she stays close to y’all. Made me think of those moments of realization when out with friends…”oh, you know Peggy, too?”
    “Peggy Burt? Oh yeah, we go way back…”
    Huh..I had no idea. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha. It could happen.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Almost Iowa's avatar

    Obviously, she is queen of the beach.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      And the ponds.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Debbie's avatar

    Thanks for the update, John. She’s a beauty! It’s nice to learn others have “adopted” her as well and that she’s so enterprising about finding dinner!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think that is a good thing in her condition.

      Like

  19. Teri Polen's avatar

    I bet Peggy/Burt has many other names with many other friends. Thanks for the update, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m sure of it. Thanks, Teri

      Like

  20. Cayman Thorn's avatar

    Beautiful shots, as per usual.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Pilgrim. 🙂

      Like

  21. Hugh W. Roberts's avatar

    Good to hear that Peggy is doing well, John. I wonder what she thinks about being called Bert?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Could be Burt wonders about being called Peggy. Either way a fish takes care of any slight. It’s like,”Don’t care what you call me as long as its not late for dinner.”

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hugh W. Roberts's avatar

        Just how it should be. Sounds to me as if Peggy/Bert has her/his head screwed on the right way.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          I believe so too. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  22. circadianreflections's avatar

    Great to Peggy is doing well, and is eating regularly, and is getting snacks too! She’s not worried about her waist line. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Nope. She has a great body image. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  23. dgkaye's avatar

    Nice to know that Peggy is being well looked after. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks Debby, Yes se is doing quite well.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. dgkaye's avatar

        Nice to hear good stories. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person