We have had an unusually wet and cold-ish winter in LA this year. A Saturday off last month, as I had my coffee deciding what to so, the rain slowed and then stopped. When the sun peeked out, I packed up my camera to check out LA Arboretum in Arcadia. Before I entered the arboretum, I stopped and chatted with a photographer leaving. He showed me the product of his morning efforts on the screen. He had taken the most amazing macro photo of the sunlight glinting off a water drop. His patience at waiting for the right moment paid off. Excited about the prospects awaiting, I bid him a good weekend. Once inside the Arboretum, I tucked the map provided away and opted to wander. Eventually, I came upon Balwin Lake, about midway in the lake, I spotted an egret sitting on a log. I made my way along the side to see if I could get a better view. Eventually, I rounded around the fallen tree that the egret had been sitting on entered into a secluded alcove; here I found a different egret and a massive amount of turtles sunning

themselves. I couldn't get a very good photo of the egret because he was in the foliage. I told myself to be patient and perhaps he would show himself. I continued to take photos and then, he spotted something tasty in the water. With a look of determination, he came out of the foliage. About this time, another egret came, this one appeared to be more stately and not quiet as shy, so I began alternating photos between the two birds. I was joined on the bank by a gentleman, that had been visiting the Arboretum for years. He noted the two birds and a quiet discussion of egrets ensued. While the birds were paying us no mind, he told me that what we were seeing were the common egret that was upon on the log, evidenced by the yellow bill and the black legs. I told him, that I had always called them herons and egrets I new as cow birds. He had never heard of cow birds in the egret family and thought

that cowbirds were a smaller brown/black bird. We pulled out our smart phones compare photos the mental picture that cow bird formed in our minds. I realized that my cow bird is known as the cattle egret, but one cattle is cow and egret is bird, hence cow bird and his was cowbird. With that out of the way we turned back to our birds at the moment. The other bird he explained was the snowy egret recognizable because he has a black bill and wearing yellow shoes. He said that I was very fortunate tohave both egrets in the same place at the same time. I agreed and expressed gratitude for my good fortune. We continued to chat about Balwin Lake, the

Arboretum, and originating from states with much colder winters that then one "cold" one were were having this year. The common egret, I dubbed him George, suddenly puffed up with a look of determination. With breakfast on his mind, he jumped in the water to dispatch what had caught his attention. The suddenness of movement struck me, I had been in the space for about 20 minutes at that point, he had stopped grooming himself and perked up with steely predator eyes about 10 minutes in. Patiently, patiently, he had been going through the menu options in the water. Once his mind was made up, snap a flurry of activity--and blurry photos--and off he went with a full belly. Meanwhile Evan, AKA the snowy egret, was placidly enjoying his day with the

turtles unfazed by George's display. Eventually, my new friend said that he would be on his way, while I remained enjoying the morning with Evan and the turtles. Slowly Evan made his way to the center of the aloe (?) plant. I snapped a final photo. Thanked him for his accommodating me with such a nice portrait and headed back to the main path to continue my exploration. I continued in the park for a while longer until it was time for me to Pasadena for lunch with Elaine at Lunasia Dim Sum House. After a long wait for our table, Elaine and I ordered our favorites and tried something new. Over tea and a satisfying lunch, Elaine and I caught each other up on our week and decided that the new item wouldn't make it onto our favorite list. Later, I reflected on the theme for the day, patience. Patience is an asset that I possess in great quantities. Patience...A great Saturday with a life lesson thrown in for free--doesn't get much better than that.

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