The wind swept the length of the two-mile-long Lake Greenbriar. The sun was hidden behind the gray overcast and few fishermen took advantage of the mid-60s temperature that made one believe spring was not far away.
A Great Blue Heron prowled the shallows searching for food and finding very little, before finally leaving for “greener” pastures.
Later the same day, with the sun breaking through and then disappearing behind the clouds once again, another of the birds glided across the same area, finally coming to rest in a dead tree that overlooked a marsh.
Then the show began. For almost an hour it preened, much like someone might check and re-check their appearance in a mirror before going out on a date.
Suddenly and without any warning a second bird emerged from the tall grass in the marsh, sending the object of our attention into flight.
It was over as quickly as it started as the two birds swept through the trees and disappeared from sight within seconds.
It was a reminder that when photographing wildlife, one must take what nature offers on any given day.
We had gone in search of eagles when we found herons and the time was well spent.