By Holly Rowland

My sorrow caused by our loss of the Great Blue Herons still continues. However we still have that rascal Henry plying his trade as the resident Blue Heron Free Loader. He went off with his buddies when that wretched female eagle made their lives in Beacon Hill Park no longer feasible. Then to everyone’s surprise, Henry returned, alone, but not in the least changed. We had a visit from two Sisters of Charity and they were enchanted by that wily bird. We received a card from them with a photo of Henry on the front and placed it on a table in our living room. A short time later we invited friends to a party and each and every one of them remarked, “That’s Henry”. So we have a real feathered celebrity living right here in Beacon Hill Park!

Now here’s a new story about Henry…and it happened to my husband. He was walking by Goodacre Lake and saw Henry posing in his usual spot, when the wily bird suddenly revved up his web feet and dashed off in the direction of Douglas Street. There he waited for a woman who had just left one of the apartment buildings across the street. She was carrying something in her hand. Henry stood with eyes on the package and beak at the ready. Not yet was the prize to be his, as she shooed him back to his proper place, and only then did she proffer the tasty morsel to his ever ready beak! We are sure that is the most important lady in Henry’s life, and the one he looks for with greedy anticipation on a daily basis.

We all admire the sheer beauty of Canadian Geese, but they are not welcome in our own backyard. People who walk in the park are not fans of these birds who mess up every pathway and make every step treacherous. But in the air they are spectacular! For some time I was fortunate to be able to watch their flight path from my kitchen window. It was just like seeing a full size photograph, live. Now they, like the Great Blue Herons, are gone. Their raucous cries are silent and the sky is empty. The Times Colonist told us the reason for the birds departure. A young woman and her two dogs did the trick and the messy Canadian Geese are gone, and both young and old may walk safely in Beacon Hill Park. And they are grateful. I still miss them.

Thanksgiving was a happy one for most of us and I salute the Volunteers who fed the less fortunate and the homeless people who flocked to the Thanksgiving Dinners and made them so special for so many! For those who have never experienced the joy of Volunteering, I heartily recommend it.