We enjoyed a very short but pleasant visit with L and her friend Dexter.  Dexter entertained us with his prowess fetching his ball from the Inlet at St Amants:

Outbound:

Inbound:

Soft mouth (until arrival on land, where the ball gets “massaged”).

“My ball”.

A while later we saw an American Bittern hunting along the shore.   I missed getting a picture of it catching a dragonfly out of the air.

Classic “tall” pose.

Hunting ….

Posing…

Swallowing.  It was  eating some little black spheres, size of a pea, that it found in the water.

Stalking with outstretched (very long!!) foot.

Stretching a wing

That was a nice opportunity to watch the birdie in action.

Then on to the milkweed patch …

Bumble Bees were active

 

As were the Monarchs.

Great spangled fritillary

I photographed this birdie at the top of a dead jackpine, against the sun.    Long ways away and difficult exposure.  My only shot before it flew away.  I have never seen such a birdie before.  Perhaps it is a Black-throated Green Warbler?

Similar difficult shooting situation.  At first I though it was one of the family of Broad Winged Hawks in the area.

But then I noticed the tail.  It might be a Juvenile Red Shouldered Hawk, but I think not.

 

8:58 PM EDT, Big Lake:

A nice day, topped by my niece’s visit.

UT