Howdy, Heron!

Though barely visible from the parking lot, I was able to quietly move in for some closer shots.
This morning as my wife and I were driving to Barnes and Noble to do some summer reading shopping, she noticed a blue heron on the bank of Lake Riley, the small man-made lake in Cobbs Hill Park, visible from the eastbound lanes of the 490 Expressway. When my wife made this observation I regretted not having brought my camera along, so upon our return from the store I made my way to Cobbs Hill, camera in hand, and snapped some pictures.

As I made my way closer, I noticed it was holding a fish in its beak.
I have been anxiously awaiting the heron's return, which was more of a "repopulation" than a "return"... this was a smaller, younger bird than the one I followed last summer.

Given all of the activity going on around the lake (three softball field, a couple of picnics, and some people walking dogs. I felt fortunate to get as close as I did.

Too late for great pictures but time for one mediocre one taken in the proper spirit.
I had hoped to capture some clearer pictures of it in flight, but was unable to change camera settings quickly enough before he took off for the other side of the lake. I'm hopeful that there will be more opportunities this summer to engage in games of "follow me and I'll fly to the other side."