My neighbors' fences are barely visible before sunrise from our back patio:
A Great Egret lofts up into the light against the dark surface of the lake
Sunlight is just touching the lake as another egret dances above the surface:
Wary as I approach, the egret moves away a bit:
The egret's feet barely touch the water and ripples have not had time to disturb the surface:
Another Great Egret emerges from the seclusion of the reeds...
...and struts out into the open against a backdrop that fades into oblivion at f/4:
An adult Green Heron occupies a prominent post on a rock:
The Green Heron watches as a Little Blue Heron ventures near:
Ripples reflect on the feathers of the Little Blue Heron as it peers nearsightedly into the shallows:
The shadows shorten:
A pair of Common Nighthawks have either a nest or a chick nearby. Overhead, one suddenly turns and swoops down at me, filling the frame. Just above my head, it turns up sharply at the bottom of its dive and its wing feathers create a startling "boom."
A Killdeer, calling loudly, tries to draw me away from a nest along the path:
In an effort to distract me, one displays its bright tail feathers and feigns a broken wing:
Now sun plays across the lake; the egret accents the scene:
I visit the damaged rookery and find that one of the Green Heron pairs has a second clutch of eggs:
An adult Green Heron covers the nest:
Only about six feet away, two Green Heron nestlings are almost ready for flight:
Back at the lake, an immature Green Heron, perhaps one from the first brood, suddenly flies up and I get a lucky shot...
...before it merges into the rushes:
Shooting through the grass, I capture the image of a Snowy Egret and its reflection:
In a pool next to the lake, an immature White Ibis catches something that looks like a cricket:
I get close looks at a Gulf Fritillary...
...a Brown Anole displaying its dewlap...
...and the large, fleshy flower of a Pond Apple (Annona glabra):
I did not wish to damage the flower, but here is a photo (taken in 2008) of one which had fallen to the ground:
Back home on our front lawn, a White-winged Dove gathers sticks for its flimsy nest in our next-door neighbor's tree:
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Linking to Misty's CAMERA CRITTERS,
Linking to Eileen's SATURDAY'S CRITTERS,
Linking to GOOD FENCES by Tex (Theresa).
Linking to WEEKEND REFLECTIONS by James
Linking to BirdD'Pot by Anni
Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday by Stewart
Linking to Today's Flowers Friday by Denise
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Please visit the links to all these memes to see some excellent photos on display
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Hoe many ineresting you have seen and catched!
ReplyDeleteah...enjoyed them all, but I love a cloudy sunrise/sunset
ReplyDeletegorgeous. love the egret shots! and cute heron chicks. :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous series, Kenneth! You have outdone yourself! Thank you so much for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a feast for the eyes here with the progression of what is happening! Your photo skills are phenomenal! Love the reflection of the ibis catch for lunch! it's amazing how birds builds such a handsome nest! And those two green herons look a little scary:) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSchitterende foto's, beautiful photos. I love it so!
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photography, and wow, what a sky!! Love the colors.
ReplyDeleteWell you certainly have an amazing view of your neighbors fences. Enjoyed the Egret shots very much as well as all your other birds & that cool looking lizard.
ReplyDeleteThat Egret looks so perfect, yet delicate.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures here!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colours.
ReplyDeletebeautiful pictures and in a lovely place you live!
ReplyDeleteThese are so gorgeous photos. You have so many great birds there!
ReplyDeleteThe pond apple is quite interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis is a delightful way to start my morning. Your birds, absolutely stunning. The butterfly and little anole, the same. And the flowers, everything, so lovely. Thank you very much for sharing with Today's Flowers, I appreciate the wonderful support and I wish you a very happy weekend:)
ReplyDeleteMy goodness Kenneth, your photography is stunning as usual. Love the Egret and Heron hsots with their wnderful reflections. Also that beautiful flower. Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteNice shots! You've captured some great reflections and pretty cool shadow too. :-)
ReplyDeleteAMAZING photos! How exciting, Kenneth--56 years! And to have family and friends with you to celebrate will be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWOW!! You have some fabulous images here!
ReplyDeleteYoy're right, beautiful early morning light, and such incredible bird pix!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures as usual. The young heron chick was perhaps my favourite picture, perhaps becuase I have never seen a picture of a heron chick before. Looking at your photo of the egret in flight, I thought that perhaps their necks are made that way, with the kink. I had always somehow thought that they bent them deliberately. But it wouldn't be flying with a bent neck.
ReplyDeleteA magic morning for sure. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely stunning photos!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThese are some wonderful bird shots. I love that some of the photos have the egret in flight in different extents. Your birds are fantastic and fun to see and so well shot.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, phantastic pictures!
ReplyDeleteHello ken, love the gorgeous sky shot. The birds as always are just amazing, great photos. The Green heron chicks are adorable. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeletefantastic pics like that guy with hair do on top hah
ReplyDeleteflimsy nests indeed...I don't see how the eggs can stay in those. But nature has a way that sometimes we humans can't fathom. Outstanding images Ken. Each and every one. I've never seen a 'baby' green heron before today. That was an awesome share. And the egret in the morning light...nearly a rainbow of color on its wings with the sunlight.
ReplyDeleteI certainly appreciate your participation each weekend at I'd Rather B Birdin'. Your posts and photos are valued. Thanks!!
Lovely photos. I especially love your sky shot and the egret in flight :-) Happy long weekend to you!
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos and reflections.
ReplyDeleteWell worth getting up early. The sky is amazing.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
wow! A beautiful sunrise and abundance of birds
ReplyDeleteI always learn to identify something when I read your blog! I took photos of the small butterfly and now I know what it is! Your photos are wonderful. It's so nice to see so many young ones! Enjoy the rest of the weekend! Diane
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. I love the early morning sky and the birds and the butterfly.
ReplyDeleteSpectacular shots, well captured. Warm greetings!
ReplyDeleteMarvelous!
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining our weekly photo linky party at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/05/simply-squirrelly.html
Some superb flight shots!
ReplyDeleteAn absolutely fantastic set of pictures. Really enjoyed them all.
ReplyDeleteYou are the best at outstanding nature presentations. This is an awesome piece of work. Well done and THANKS FOR DROPPING BY MY PLACE.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are amazing! Thanks for visiting
ReplyDeleteYour photos are always so stunning. The eyes on the Green Heron nestlings are so interesting, almost eerie. The egrets are so beautiful and your shots are amazing. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteAmazing images. Every one. I really enjoyed your post which I found on WBW. Have a great birding and nature day! Greetings Jo
ReplyDeleteWow - stunning shots and light.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Every one of them - Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe Great Egret photos are my favorites
Absolutely fantastic. Wow.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful series ... I always feel as if I'm walking along with you .... (And I wish I could. You see so much that I know I would miss even if I were in the exact place).
ReplyDeleteGreat series
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos! The early morning sky is gorgeous and the white egret so elegant and graceful looking.
ReplyDelete