monday on the porch<br />

It is a foggy, damp, overcast day here in Maine. Snuggled up on the porch under a blanket with Murphee, I heard a scary commotion from Doodle Duck in the pond. I tossed the blanket aside and hopped up, ready to do battle. It was not her normal quacking; this was a distressed honking and frantic splashing. I thought for sure there was a fox or other predator. As I hit the edge of the porch, a flash of white soared into my vision.

egret in an oak tree

What a most unexpected visitor! I quickly snapped a few photos with my phone while repeating, “Holy s*!t,” and Paul answering, “What, what?” Doodle honking loudly, clearly distressed.

egret by the pond in maine

My first thought was that it was a goose, but once she landed, I realized that she was a much more elegant egret.

egret in oak tree closeup

She was gone when I returned from indoors with my camera, finding our humble little pond lacking.

heron in tree

What a treat! I love where we live.

She’s not the only unexpected visitor we’ve had.