3 September 2013. Ruthven Park, Cayuga ON. Trudging around the census route this bright summer morning, I paused to check a far riverbank where I’ve come to expect Osprey, Belted Kingfisher, Canada Goose and Great Blue Heron, and right on cue they were all there. A pair of Ospreys nested not far away so it’s not at all unusual to see one or two of them along the river. Sometimes they’re easy to spot framed against the sky on a dead branch, today’s bird was less obvious on the edge of a dense Hackberry, but still it had a commanding view of the river. 
I was more entertained though by a Great Blue Heron who was standing on a log with its wings spread wide, catching the morning sun, this picture was taken from quite a distance but you get the idea.
The census produced 35 species, Notable were the continued presence of many Eastern Wood Peewees still hanging around the forested areas and calling plaintively, a Sharp-shinned Hawk that shot across the river flats looking for an easy breakfast and a Blackpoll Warbler checking for insects in a tangle of wild grape.
The Bird of the Day was the flashing Great Blue Heron. Herons don’t make headlines as often as they should, what with their Cretaceous Era looks, amphibian-croaks and lugubrious flight, they really are sensational creatures.