Lake Minsi ...

... Great Blue Heron.

Today was absolutely gorgeous ... although we could have had clearer skies.  

That said ... we made our way up to Minsi Lake for our second kayaking paddle for the year.  We had taken our lunch so after Richard got the kayak ready to go we sat and ate lunch before heading out on the lake. 

We had a really nice time and saw lots and lots of interesting things.  My main is a beautiful Great Blue Heron flying away from a Red-winged Blackbird that was pestering him/her.  I've added a shot of that exchange in the collage in Extras.  

Also pictured (upper right) are some scrapping Purple Martins ... against a very dull sky!   The upper left shows one of the many Cormorants that were upset by our getting too close to them.  Bottom row photos are as follows:  Painted turtle, Snow Goose and the Heron being pestered by the Red-winged Blackbird mentioned above.  

Please have a look full screen.