A Heron

There's a small pond in the park next to my house. In the spring, summer, and fall I sometimes see a heron standing at its edge. I usually see the heron in the morning or in the evening. I call it 'Mr. Heron', although for all I know it's a 'Mrs.'.

My dog is always with me and I always say something like, "Oh, there's Mr. Heron. Let's not disturb his breakfast." And then I try to take the dog on such a route as not to make the heron fly away from his food pursuits.

Only once did I see the heron eating. It plucked something from the pond and then waded over to the shore before gulping it down. Then it headed back out into the water for more.

Mr. Heron returned a few weeks ago after being gone for the winter. It's nice to see him again.