Photowalk: Herons and Ducks at Mud Lake

I was spending some time watching herons and ducks at Mud Lake.

One Great Blue Heron was first patiently waiting in the shadow but it seemed that nothing interesting/tasty caught his eye. Another one took off a few minutes after my arrival, I guess he was looking for a better place to fish.  

A few meters away a juvenile Night Heron looked interested in something beneath the branch he was sitting on but ended up roosting, grooming and napping in the sunshine. After all, it was still early for him. :) 

After a while the Great Blue Heron started stalking around the edges of the lake for some tasty little fish or frog. Eventually he ventured out of the water and up on the little island, maybe to warm up a little before nightfall. 

All this time a number of ducks, including a few Wood Duck families, were busy chattering while munching on some greens. 

Juvenile Night Heron

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Male Wood Duck (such a fancy plumage!)

Night Heron and Great Blue Heron

Female Wood Duck

Great Blue Heron ascending the little island

Autumn is clearly on its way

Photowalk .... Owls, Turtles and Night Herons

This time I went to check on the Owls again, to see how much bigger the young ones have gotten. I also was hoping to see another adult owl when I'm in the woods. 

These trees smelled wonderfully. By looks I would guess that they are some sort of apple tree.

There she is. According to another photographer, that is Mrs. Owl. 

The youngsters grew quite a bit since I visited the previous time which was 6 days ago.

Amazing. By now they actually look like owls already, not like cotton balls with beaks. :)

 Midland Painted Turtle 

 Full attention of a Canada goose.

Night heron. I saw at least 6 of those guys this time. 

That is a new record for me!

Mrs. Owl, basking in the sunshine. 

Mr. Owl, keeping a cool face even though a crow tried really really hard 

to annoy him enough to move.

Midland Painted Turtle