Yesterday’s thunderstorms must have wrung some of the dampness out of the atmosphere, because this morning one could almost think there was a touch of fall in the air. Well, maybe just a little, with the temperature and dewpoint a good 5F below what they’ve been in recent mornings. With mostly blue skies and a light breeze, it was a really good time to be out on the lake at sunrise.
The weather this year seems to have been hard on a lot of the trees. It didn’t look like there was much holding this one down.

Reaching the northwest end of the lake, I came across a juvenile White Ibis. I’d seen one once before, although obviously not this same one: the first one would not be in juvenile plumage now.

When I set out I spotted a few bits of white feathers on the water. I figured the Egrets were back (I usually see them in late summer/early autumn); I’ve seen Great Egrets around here. I found the white birds hanging out up at the end of the lake.

A careful examination of the photos, however, shows that these are actually young Little Blue Herons. Obviously there must be adult Herons around here too that I haven’t seen. What’s interesting is that most of the range maps either don’t show them in this area, or we’re right on the edge of their range.
Of course, the other residents were active, like the Canada Geese.

And, of course, the obligatory Great Blue Heron picture.