As summer shifts into autumn at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, the lotus flowers that had taken over the two main pools finally lost their blooms, leaving behind a sea of horn-shaped seed pods. Hiding among the lotus plants, there were a number of herons, including this young great blue heron.

Juvenile Great Blue Heron under Lotus Leaves

Adding a touch of whimsy, a dragonfly landed on the heron’s bill.

Dragonfly Perched on the Bill of a Great Blue Heron

On several visits, I spotted a great egret from a distance, but it remained elusive. It was only on my most recent Monday visit that I was fortunate enough to see this beautiful bird at close range.

Great Egret  

Bright and breezy, the leaves had begun to turn. Walking around the pools I was greeted by a variety of wildlife including mallards and black ducks, Canada geese, brightly colored insects, painted turtles, and a leopard frog.

9-Spotted Leaf Beetle and Ruby Meadowhawk Leopard Frog

Milkweed seed pods along the side of the path were covered in bright orange milkweed beetles.

Milkweed Beetles  

On the bank of the Concord River near the lower pool, a juvenile double-crested cormorant was taking in the sun.

  Double-crested Cormorant, Juvenile