Monday

A great blue heron decided to sun itself this morning perched on a dead tree branch along the north fork of the Shenandoah River.  This stately bird was enjoying a peaceful respite from the hard rains of yesterday.

Then, a companion (or competitor) flew by and disturbed its solitude.

With its sunbathing now disrupted, he (or she?) watched as the other bird flew downstream along the river.

After regaining its composure the great blue heron took flight, possibly in pursuit of a rendezvous in some downstream fishing grounds.

These majestic birds can be seen quite frequently along the banks of the Shenandoah river.