The sun was just coming up, illuminating the clouds with soft light and color, when a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) flew slowly across the sky, ready to start his day at another location.
It was a magical beginning to a beautiful day.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Looks peaceful!
It was indeed a peaceful moment. I love that time of the day (except when I have to fight traffic on the days when I am commuting to work).
Lol I think everyone understands that pain! Traffic is a beast where I am too.
I can sit for hours and watch the great blue herons wade and fish in our marsh…Your action shots are magnificent.
Wow what a sight for my first email this morning Mike! Dreamy, especially the third image with its stronger hues. Very beautiful.
Thanks, Chris. It was a little tough processing the images, because the lighting and colors changed as the heron flew across the sky. I was careful not to oversaturate the colors, though I was conscious of the fact that the hues were stronger in the third image, as you noted. I love it when I can simplify the composition like this–I think it often helps heighten the emotional impact of the shot.
Silhouettes of birds in flight with a fiery sky are winners!😊
The colors were beautiful. It’s probably just perspective but he looks to be flying higher than most herons.
It struck me at the time, Allen, that the heron was flying pretty high. Most of the time when I see heron in flight, they are usually just moving from one place in the marsh to another–this one looked like he was settling in for a longer flight.
Beautiful,,, I love that birds,,, so graceful.
Thanks, Sally.
Wonderful silhouettes!
Thanks. I love silhouettes in cases like this when the bird shape is immediately identifiable.
Certainly is!