The following series of photographs were taken when a Great Blue popped up beside me and flew off to a spot, almost beside me.
After the hurricane had passed through the herons were either tired or just not about to give up their spot again. Several times during the day I almost walked right over one. And of course I wasn’t expecting them so it was loud and fast.
I was lucky to capture this sequence since this type of opportunity doesn’t happen very often. Usually it’s a quick shot, then the bird ‘butt’ image.
Click any image below to view the full series in detail.
Great Blue Heron Close By – Click To Enlarge
Great Blue Heron Close By – Click To Enlarge
Great Blue Heron Close By – Click To Enlarge
Great Blue Heron Close By – Click To Enlarge
Great Blue Heron Close By – Click To Enlarge
Great Blue Heron Close By – Click To Enlarge
The above was shot with a Canon 7D2, Sigma 150-500, at 1/1000, f 5.6, ISO 160, and 300mm.
Cropping was only to resize to a 9×16 landscape layout.
Terrific series!
Thank you. The same day I must have come extra close to 4 or 5 herons like that. They all were in the same general area of a marsh. Early summer…none around unless right on the shore.
We still have a few at the reserve I visit. Some are close by others not so much. With a bit of luck they’ll stay put for a while.
They are one of my favorite birds. Come January they will start nesting in the rookeries and another different set of opportunities arrive.
At the very end of September, I was lucky to spend two hours in a kayak on a small, marshy river located in Baxter State Park, northern Maine; sharing quiet time with a Great Blue Heron. The bird found a productive hunting ground which compelled it to stay, allowing me to take many photos. It was a very peaceful and gratifying day.
The herons that stay late, or year round, in New England tend to be a little bigger than most. Baxter, no Moose ?