Patience pays off.....

This gorgeous Little Blue Heron hangs out on the small lake where I live. He fishes in the water and also pops up to the hedges occasionally to grab himself an insect or small lizard.

Today the weather is warm, so I sat in the grass, camera at the ready, clicking away so he'd get used to me and to the sound. Though he kept a wary eye on the proceedings, he allowed me several great shots before mistrust finally won out.

If you look carefully you will see the reddish-purple flush of breeding plumage just beginning to appear on his neck and topknot.