Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Name That Heron



This heron, shown standing in the mud at low tide, frequents the shoreline across the creek from me. When he's hungry, he'll stand knee-deep in calm water and tilt his head just so as he studies any movement below the surface. At just the right time, he scoops up his supper, takes a few steps in another direction and repeats the process. Then someone or something will irritate him...a human, a cat, a mountain of dirty laundry or another heron. They're very territorial and prefer solitude. When annoyed, he gives a hideous squawk before flying away with those lanky legs outstretched behind him, looking more like a pterodactyl than a wading sea bird.

Mr. Heron needs you a name. So, if you were a Mother or Father Heron and this were your child, what would his birth certificate say?

If you need some inspiration, double click on the image to get a better view of his intricate details, like the neck which curves more sharply than the plumbing on a bathroom sink; his long legs which blend right in with those marsh grasses behind him; and the fiddler crabs which have nothing to do with a heron but who live to torment CBW you cannot see but are looming ominously in the mud and grasses in the background just waiting for a good, hot day to ambush CBW before emerging to ambush CBW.

What's his name?

24 comments:

Unknown said...

I'd say Gustaf, but that name is taken. How about Lilybeth if it's a girl. If it's a boy, how about Bosco.

And yes, I'm tired!

Val said...

Horatio ?

Meg McCormick said...

Herman.

Meg McCormick said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bayman said...

Hmmm...slick and curvy, I would name him Scurvy.

The British sailors carried limes aboard their ships to prevent against scurvy, hence the term "limey." My Grandfather taught me this.

Caution/Lisa said...

I'm not clever enough to play. After he's named, are you going to buy him a collar and name tag?

mom x 2 said...

Harry the Heron :) for a boy, Harrietta the Heron for a girl :)

or word verification Dersa- yep, pretty sure I like Dersa

Mental P Mama said...

Hector.

Annie said...

Noreh..or Nora for short!

Good shot!!

Or maybe the word verification Tonis, especially if it is a male.

Think you are going to have to have a generic name since you probably don't know the sex.

Lynne M. said...

When I look at that guy, all is see is

Willie

Willie is a good name - i've even known 2 female Willies.

Big Hair Envy said...

For some reason, I'm thinking that bird needs a pirate name. SO, I went to my trusty Pirate Name Generator, and came up with:

Male - "Poop Deck Jacques"
Female - "Cannon Balls Carmen"

Meg McCormick said...

Oh RIGHT, we don't know if it's a boy or a girl, do we?

So - Herman for a boy, and...

Hattie for a girl.

Because Alliteration is Awesome.

--Meg McCormick

mmm said...

Scoliosis.

Interesting that the word verification is:

Bessiona. Why not name it Bess for short.

tj said...

...Gomez... :o)

...Blessings...

Karen Deborah said...

Sticks.

maria from Nj said...

What about Hottie? No gender concern there.

Wonder if Dooce will let me name her baby? Hmmm.....

Daryl said...

Legs ...

Anonymous said...

Old Joe - Thats what my parents have called them for the last 40 years.
We always called Herons Cranes - Thats what I thought their technical name was until I was 20. I like Wayne - For "Don't Strain Use Wayne's Crane".

Lorac said...

Krayn, boy or girl(Miss Krayn or Mr. Krayn
Derrick- which means crane
Whoopie for a girl? Hmm.. tougher than I thought.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

I'm late responding to all these wonderful suggestions. The names beginning with H are good, because they go so well with Heron. Like Horatio Heron or Herman Heron or Harry or Hector or Hottie.

I also received an e-mail from someone who said his name was Heathcliff. Love that one too.

I'll let you know which names he likes best the next time I talk to him. Thanks for all the great suggestions.

Anonymous said...

Well since CBW said that Mr. Heron needs a name I guess it is a boy.

How about F-A-T because he eats anything we through in to the yard.....and I do mean anything.


One time CB family was driving the in the drive way and the heron flew above us and I swear he had a belly! No Joke!

I got CBW as a witness (If she remembers)


From, CBD

Anonymous said...

I have a great name for him! How about Leroy! :D


Love, CBD

Country Girl said...

Harrison

Homer

Hector

Hester, if it's a girl

foolery said...

I'm sure you named him, but I was thinking Victor.

No reason.