Mike...thanks for the comment on the Great Egret.  As with your racing photo, I'm very surprised with the scoring...our shots are not the p&s type that typically win the contests which makes zero sense to me.  There is no reward for degree of difficulty and technical merit...oh well, it's always been that way so I guess I shouldn't bit#%. 

The rat tail question....see this link http://public.fotki.com/postunit/wildlife/birds-1/%C2%A0%C2%A0
If the link doesn't take you to more pics of the Egret, it's in my Wildlife/Birds folder....many better looks at that tail thing - let me know if you have any insight on it...a breeding sign?  I went back to the same spot a day or so after that and took pics of other egrets...some of them had that same rat tail.

Thanks and have a great day...Mark

Hi MikeI am not a well woman today, I have a tummy bug which is requiring me to stay near the toilet!  but enough information!!!  Thanks for your visit and I have replied when necessary.  Hope you are well, and summer is upon you.SlainteMyra

Hi MikeBeen out walking today and so a bit late to look at fotki.  Thanks for visiting, and I have replied as best I can to your comments.  If you ever come to Scotland you might like to climb Dun na Cuaiche, it is very worth while......you could do it, I'm sure!SlainteMyra

Love your Civil War shots - prefer the sepia ones.

Hi Mike! Just let me know where and where. Lets go take a lot of good shots!

Good morning Mike
A beautiful sunny day today with temperatures of 18C in the sun in my garden, but believe it or not, they are forecasting snow for next week!!!  Thanks for your comments on our Bishop's Hill walk, I have replied.  It was a good walk, lovely grassy paths, lots of up and lots of downs, but nothing we couldn't handle.
Slainte
Myra

Good morning Mike
We have a beautiful sunny morning here in Scotland, with temperature in my garden in the sun of 20C.  We have had a good spell of very unseasonal weather, with temperatures in the high teens, when they should be around 9C at this time of year.  We of course have been taking full advantage of it.  Just had a wee browse of your birds album, and liked what I saw.  Have a great day.
Slainte
Myra

Just stop by to say hi,hopping that everyone is doing okTake care Mike,have a great weekend.

Hi Les, I like your pictures a lot. Especially the motorcycle and car racing pictures. Thank you for sharing

Hi Mike,

Good morning MikeI see from your answer to Viviane that you are progressing, albeit slowly.  That is good to hear, just take it steady and hopefully you will be back on your bike on your usual routes by the time the weather turns summery.SlainteMyra

Hi Mike, how are you doing? Biking already??? ;)We are having a dark day today but temps are fine...not that I am going out a lot , far too busy for that!I am off doing some very boring homework!Take care,Viviane

Good morning MikeHope that you are feeling fine this morning.  Thanks for visiting and for your comments.  I have replied.We have a pretty nice day today here with the temperature +9C...... nice a Springlike.  Hope you have a good day.SlainteMyra

Hi Mike...can you identify this guy?  An eider?  As always...thank you.  
Mark