It's my day off (lucky me, I get to work Saturday) so around midday I headed over to the Cleveland Metroparks' Mill Stream Run Reservation in Berea. Recently I'd seen a great egret wading the shallow waters of the Rocky River and I thought I'd see if I could catch a photo. Well, I saw the bird perched high in a tree across the water too far to photograph. Other sites caught my eye, however, including a beautiful feather caught on a stick — the only thing keeping it from floating over a nearby water fall. There was flowing water, rock and water, shade and trees, all-in-all a restful place. The ones that got away: 1) Two great blue herons swooped in together for a landing, low over my head before I'd even removed my camera from its bag. 2) As I stepped stones adjacent to a shallow dam, I spooked a black water snake — it quickly slipped into the water before I even had a chance to lift the camera (now out of its bag). 3) I hope that wide-angle lens gets back, well-tuned, soon…. could have used it! Time for late lunch so I headed home. It happens my little outing was well timed. It had been dark and gloomy all morning, skies brightened a bit while I was out, and not long after I arrived home a noisy thunderstorm rolled in and dropped plentiful rain. Tasha and I sat on the floor at the open patio door listening to and watching the storm. The day provided a much-needed quiet interlude.
PhotonStopper 
A beautiful, patterned, artistic feather. Just waiting for you, before taking its final swim.
I love herons; by the beach we see them perched precariously on palm trees, an odd sight. Once, we saw egrets on the beach – an island of kelp had washed in, and they were making a very lush breakfast of it.
Thanks, Aubrey, it was well worth the effort crouching down, leaning forward suspended on one hand, to see and photograph the feather at close quarters. Glad to share the view.Every time I see a great blue heron in flight, I see their reptilian ancestors. I also love watching them, and other large birds, slow for a landing… their great wings extended and cupped, full of air, just before they stop and alight.
So pretty!