Scorched Earth near the Cahaba River, Alabama

Scorched Earth on a hiking trail along the Cahaba River in Birmingham, Alabama

Stones and Reflections on Black Creek, Fultondale

Stones and Reflections on Black Creek at Black Creek Park in Fultondale

Juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron at Black Creek

Taking a cue from its mother (seen here), this juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron has taken to a tree at Black Creek in Fultondale, Alabama, where it remained until any semblance of danger passed.

Juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron at Black Creek in Fultondale, Alabama

Yellow Crowned Night Heron Hides among the Foliage

This Yellow Crowned Night Heron stalks Black Creek in Fultondale, Alabama, on a daily basis. When I first spied it on this occasion, it was contentedly fishing, but upon hearing some nearby dogs, it took shelter in a nearby tree, waiting for the danger to pass.

As much as I would have liked to coax it to resume its fishing activities for my photographic benefit, that seemed unlikely to yield a productive result. So I contented myself with photographing the bird in its attempts to escape the local canine populace.

Yellow Crowned Night Heron at Black Creek in Fultondale, Alabama

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly at Black Creek

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio glaucus) at Black Creek in Fultondale, Alabama

Orb Weaver Ready to Pounce

This Orb Weaver builds its nest nightly above by back patio and patiently awaits the arrival of any unwitting prey, of which there seems to be an abundance. And each morning, she quietly folds up her web, tucks into a nice corner to wait out the day and begin the process anew come sundown.

Common Mullein at Black Creek Park, Fultondale

Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) on the Rails to Trails

at Black Creek Park in Fultondale, Alabama