Sometimes park rangers can get a case of the “blahs” and I caught a bad one recently. I led the last paddling trips for the year, our Ghost Trails Hayrides threatened my Friday and Saturday night beauty sleep (Lord knows I need it), and we still have a few more field education trips scheduled, but are about to lose a very hard working and talented seasonal interpreter.

I love my job and my park, but, like anyone else, there are times when I am uninspired and unmotivated.

We can all get stuck in a rut

A co-worker and friend suggested that I get away from my desk for a while. 

I did earlier for a hot second. But, what I needed was more intentional “me” time that was still “on the clock.” 

I saw a great blue heron along the mud flat as I stood on a cliff near the visitor center.  Thinking the bird would still be in the vicinity, I grabbed the Pentax K-x with the 70-300mm lens hoping I could get some images of one feeding or flying.

Great Blue Landing

The tide was at its lowest point with the mud flat completely exposed. 

My attention was so distracted by the changes to the seining beach caused by Hurricane Matthew that I didn’t notice the heron standing in front of me. Fortunately, I had the good sense to adjust the manual settings as soon as I hit the beach. Also the camera was set on continuous shooting. As if my luck couldn’t have been any better, the bird didn’t fly that far off, so, I was able to get some nice shots of it landing. 

Since I had time, I waited a few minutes to see if it would either feed or take off. The bird made only one or two attempts coming up with nothing in its long and slender beak. And as if it were a well-rehearsed ballerina, the great blue heron arose from and danced on the water before taking to flight.

Walking take-off

Of course I have significantly added to the library of photos from our park. 

But the majority of images are of guests participating in field trips and ranger guided programs. I don’t take advantage of taking time out of my schedule to capture wildlife or create landscape photos very often. 

Outdoor photography is not in the Education Support Specialist I job description.  But, it has been my favorite outlet for years. I had even won a couple of awards with my work. Apparently, taking the DSLR and going out on my own is the shot in the arm that I needed to cure my “blahs.” 

A word of advice from a co-worker and friend

can lead to inspiration and motivation

Just above the surface

Directions to York River State Park:  From I-64, take the Croaker Exit 231B. Go north on Route 607 (Croaker Rd.) for one mile, then right on Route 606 (Riverview Rd.) about one and a half miles to the park entrance. Take a left turn into the park. 

9801 York River Park Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188; Phone: 757-566-30369801 York River Park Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188; Phone: 757-566-3036.

You are invited to come to York River State Park for some inspiration of your own,

and don't forget to bring your camera and/or your walking stick.