How do you start your mornings? This Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) faced into the morning sun for quite a while last Friday as it stood amidst the foliage atop a tree at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The heron looked around a bit before deciding it was finally time to start its morning grooming routine.
The light was especially beautiful that morning and the heron was either unaware of my presence or simply did not view me as a threat. After I took some shots, I continued on my way and the heron remained in the tree and continued its morning preparations.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
These photos have it all… lovely heron, beautiful blue sky (what a cloudless, gorgeous day!), and autumn colour. It must have been a great morning to be out with your camera!