A heron with its wings spread, leaves its perch below Abingdon Bridge, having noticed me with my camera. The bird with its wings ruffled flies away over the ripples on the River Thames,

Its makeshift perch had been a jumble of logs and debris, accumulated by the bridge arches where Abingdon Bridge meets Nags Head Island.

Here is a more symmetrical shot a moment later. The wingspan is the largest of any Abingdon bird. Herons are common but still look exotic.