Although sandhill crane used to be my favorite winter bird as I would watch them gather by the hundreds, now when I see them at the end of winter I know summer is approaching. For the #birdoftheday theme of #summervisitors #birds #crane #sandhillcrane #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A black crowned night heron ending a yawn. For the #birdoftheday theme of #fabulouswaders #birds #heron #blackcrownednightheron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A green heron stands on a branch over the water. For the #birdoftheday theme of #fabulouswaders #birds #heron #greenheron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

An egret stands in the reflection of the golden sun. For the #birdoftheday theme of #bestofjuly. #birds #heron #egret #EastCoastKin #stunday #protectnature

An egret stands in the shadows of a fallen tree. For the #birdoftheday theme of #bestofjuly. #birds #heron #egret #stunday #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A great blue heron stands at the water's edge and looks up as another heron flies by For the #birdoftheday theme of #overtherainbow #birds #heron #greatblueheron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A great blue heron on top of a tree. For the #birdoftheday theme of #overtherainbow #birds #heron #greatblueheron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A great blue heron flies next to an island in the river. For the #birdoftheday theme of #egretsandherons, and #scape Friday *posted in place of a previous one that had a minor wording error due to it being 4am but people love to correct #birds #heron #sunrise #protectnature #eck

Egrets in the shadow of the forest at the edge of the water. Their white feathers look particularly bright against the dark background. For the #birdoftheday theme of #egretsandherons #birds #egret #heron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

We must remember that we share the planet, and must care for it rather than exploit it. All hands on deck. For the #birdoftheday theme of #yourchoice #birds #heron #protectnature #EastCoastKin #greatblueheron #nodatacenters #protectpubliclands

A yellow shafted flicker flies by some wires. For the #birdoftheday theme of #multicolour #birds #woodpecker #flicker #protectnature #EastCoastKin

Egrets being dramatic For the #birdoftheday theme of #emeraldbackdrop #birds #egrets #heron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A kingfisher stares down at the water, ready to hunt. For the #birdoftheday theme of #grey #birds #kingfisher #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A kingfisher parent prepares to hunt for food to feed its fledgling (in the background). For the #birdoftheday theme of #grey #birds #kingfisher #protectnature #EastCoastKin

The light of dawn is mostly hidden from this great blue heron. But the water catches the light to look like a lava field. For #stunday #birds #heron #greatblueheron #protectnature #photography #EastCoastKin

An egret raises its head from the water, touching its own reflection. #birdoftheday #che #stunday #birds #egret #heron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

During sunrise, the light is constantly changing. Shadows, light, and varied hues play with the environment. For the #birdoftheday theme of #che #birds #heron #egret #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A great blue heron lands on a tree by the river. The golden light of sunrise highlights its face. For the #birdoftheday theme of #che #birds #heron #greatblueheron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

Angel wings. Standing in the shadows, but backlit by rays from the sun rising above the trees, an egret attempts to catch a meal. #birds #protectnature #egret #heron #photography #contrast #EastCoastKin

A killdeer keeps a watchful eye over the landscape. For the #birdoftheday theme of #eyeofthewild #birds #killdeer #plover #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A yellow shafted flicker as it takes flight. For the #birdoftheday theme of #yellow #birds #flicker #woodpecker #protectnature #EastCoastKin

Pelicans grooming before starting their day. For the #birdoftheday theme themes of #tantalisingtexture and #artofmotion #birds #pelican #protectnature #EastCoastKin

Simon says one foot up. A great blue heron walks across large rocks in the river as a fawn scratches an itch. For the #birdoftheday themes of #tanatalisingtextures and #artofmotion #birds #heron #greatblueheron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A couple of ring-billed gulls watching herons and egrets hunt for crawdads/crayfish in the river. For the #birdoftheday theme of #gulls #birds #twosday #protectnature #EastCoastKin

Egret photobomb. The great blue heron is not amused. For the #birdoftheday theme of #summerlovin #birds #heron #egret #photobomb #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A moment of light and dark. An egret hunts in the shelter a fallen tree. For the #birdoftheday theme of #summerlovin #birds #heron #egret #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A great egret stands in shadows that provide a deep contrast to its stark white feathers. #birds #egret #heron #stunday #photography #photographersofbluesky #EastCoastKin

A fawn watches from an island as a great blue heron walks on some rocks in the river. For the #birdoftheday theme of #blue #birds #heron #greatblueheron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A snowy owl faces the warmth of the sun. For the #birdoftheday themes of #screenfiller and #migratory #birds #owl #snowyowl #protectnature #EastCoastKin

Sunrise on the river. As mist hovers over the water, the light of dawn is enhanced in its veil. #scape #landscape #sunrise #protectnature #EastCoastKin #light