All sunshine and poses

The weather forecasters had said that our grim weather would clear up today, and they were right!  We had headed out to a nearby park for a slow, slightly muddy stroll, and as the afternoon wore on, it got steadily brighter, until it was a cold but lovely, sunny day. 

I struggled to choose my blip from all of the shots I took – so many different creatures and scenes; nutria, ducks, woodpeckers, egrets, even a Gulf Fritillary butterfly (the only insect we spotted today) - many of them apparently posing nicely for our cameras.  The most bizarre image I came away with was a nutria swimming past an egret and a remote control speed boat! 

This Common Egret was high up in a tree, keeping a very keen eye on a young couple with their toddler who were immediately beneath him, completely unaware of his presence, which was clearly how he wanted it.  I love the contrast of his beautiful white feathers and the deep red leaves.