December 17, 2009 -- GREAT EGRET. In the early morning a group of egrets were sleeping along the shore north of Red Bud Isle, heads tucked inside their wings. They looked so cozy and warm, perched on the low limbs. One woke up, then another and soon all were in different stages of alertness. They must like this spot as I have seen them here often. Suddenly one lifts off into the air in the most graceful of movements and soars in a circle around the cove. The silhouette against the reds and golds of the fall colors is stunning. Then another joins him and they head off around the bend in search of breakfast.