This lovely Great Egret was photographed in St. Joseph Peninsula State Park on Cape San Blas, Florida as the sun was rising.  Little did I know that the tropical storm brewing out at sea would become Hurricane Michael two days later...  This egret knew the storm was coming.  It allowed me to get very close which is unusual.  I later learned it was meticulously preening it's feathers for the hurricane.  I'm so thankful I spent the early morning in the state park.  My children and I evacuated that morning when I saw the line at gas station on Cape San Blas returning to our condo.  By the time we got home it had developed into a hurricane.  Hurricane Michael hit our home in Southwest Georgia and caused extensive damage as a Category 3 hurricane.  We were thankful to be alive the next day.  I pray this egret and all the other birds I photographed that morning made it to safety.  This image looks amazing on products like pillows, tea towels, totes, and tumbled stone coasters which I offer on my site, and you may contact me as well to order for you.