Sunset Flight

As the sun begins to set at the end of a long Maine summer day, lines of egret, herons, and ibis flock back to their marshy rookery in the middle of Stratton Island.

Waiting in the tall reeds for the opportunity to photograph these beautiful wading birds, I startle this juvenile black crowned night heron who had intended to land in the old apple orchard nearby. Struggling awkwardly among the branches, the heron frantically tumbled out and flew off.

Photo Courtesy of Janine Parziale