This Great Egret (Ardea alba) seemed to be trying to minimize energy expenditure in the heat as it flew low and slowly from one location to another part of Huntley Meadows Park. The recent extreme heat must be tough on many of the inhabitants of the park—temperatures yesterday soared to 101 degrees (38 degrees C) in the Washington D.C. area, a new record for the date.
I have a tendency to crop my images to emphasize the subject, but I took these shots at pretty long range and like the way that they give you a sense of the environment at my favorite marshland park.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Wonderful..the colors are such an eye catcher…great!
Thanks for your kind words.
Great shots!
Thanks, Victor.
Looks like you are experiencing some Tucson weather with a lot more humidity. Yesterday’s temp was 100, only the 4th 100+ degree day — stay cool.
When the temperatures and humidity are combined, it is almost unbearable to spend time outdoors. Night doesn’t even provide much relief because the temperatures haven’t been dipping below 80. Fortunately the heat wave is only supposed to last for a few more days.