July 2 - Early Morning Paddle

In the early morning when the grass is still dewy, the lake is glassy-smooth and quiet. I slip my kayak into the water and paddle gently, unwilling to disturb the magical calm. A Great Blue Heron stands stone-still on a rock in the lake, then suddenly thrusts its head into the water and comes up with a writhing fish. The live breakfast flashes silver in the morning light as it struggles to escape before the bird finally works it down its throat. Delicious.