Great Blue

This January has been one of the coldest on record here. I'm sure it's not record-setting in a lot of places, but I'm not in a lot of places. Yesterday afternoon, the sun finally returned, and actually stayed out, instead of playing peek-a-boo. I piled my big, black Standard Poodle and my smaller black camera bag in Catawba, and puttered the half mile to the game reserve. At this time of year, there is only a couple of mile loop open to drive through. I haunt the place, waiting for March 15th when the gates are opened, and backwater permitting, my 8300+ acre backyard is once again accessible. Apparently, everybody and their brother had the same idea. I met more vehicles down there, than I do on the 12 mile drive to the nearest Dollar General. I figured picture taking would be a wash, with all that traffic. I probably would've missed him, had he not taken flight. These guys are the best at standing stock-still, and blending in. They are usually pretty shy too, but this one didn't seem too worried about my presence. Made my afternoon.



Coming in for a landing. Weird.



Standing tall. I love the long delicate feathering on his neck, and on his back. Gorgeous.