Standing Tall!

  Today was a drizzly, almost rainy day that kept me inside.  Other than an occasional quick run with the old dog, I spent the day on the top of a ten foot stepladder as I am painting the living room walls.  For the first time in my entire life, I felt tall!  A few more days of painting and then I promised the dog that we would spend more of our time hiking about the hillside.  He seems to enjoy that about as much as I do.

 Yesterday, however, was gorgeous and I was able to slip down to the pier for a few minutes.  While there, a tri-colored heron allowed me to photograph it!  Actually, the bird was unaware or, at best, oblivious to my presence and did not care if I had a camera or not.  I could not pass up the opportunity, though, because the lighting was perfect enough to create fantastic reflections.  Despite a few ripples in the water, a nigh on exact image of the heron was repeated in the water.  Even the colors were duplicated to perfection!  It is rare in our muddy waters to see such vibrant reflections and, when they do occur, I am enthralled.

 The tri-colored heron waded about hunting for its breakfast.  Occasionally, it would dart toward a minnow and plunge to grab it.  Watching only for a few moments, I counted no less than eight minnows going down that gullet!  That is one sharp bird....and very photogenic!