At the Strongsville, Ohio Wildlife Area.

Out early, I packed up the camera and big lens and headed for the Strongsville Wildlife area. Because of the changing seasons, I thought this morning might be my last opportunity this year to capture images of the Great Egret and autumn colors. Arriving at the pond I was dismayed to see no wading birds and, in fact, no birds at all … at first. Whether it was my presence or just time to start moving, the Mallard ducks set out from their nighttime moorings, at first two or three, then the entire fleet. Their passage through colorful reflective waters made up for the missing egret.