Most of the time I skip taking the ‘preening’ shots. It’s the number one pass time of Herons. The angle and bird were as good as it gets for these shots so I did capture the moment.
Click any image to view the gallery.
Great Blue Heron, Getting All Pretty – click to enlarge
Great Blue Heron, Getting All Pretty – click to enlarge
Great Blue Heron, Getting All Pretty – click to enlarge
Great Blue Heron, Getting All Pretty – click to enlarge
Preening is how the bird oils its feathers to waterproof them and repairs them for better flight. It also helps with thermo-regulation. It may not be as dramatic photographically, but the behavior is important to the health of the bird.
So much for that! I continue to enjoy your magnificent photos of herons and egrets. You have a great skill at showing them in the wild!
Preening at this time of year also loosens the winter feathers, breeding plumage is coming (or here). And sir, thank you so much for your kind words. Showing the natural beauty, and wildlife, is our simple way of reminding people what we have…and can easily lose.
Yes, that’s one I forgot about!
I appreciate and agree with you on the importance of photography, and your excellent work definitely serves the stated purpose.
Beautiful detail and colour and I love the pose he’s struck, he looks a bit like a teapot😊
LOL, I guess he does. Not sure how they do that.
I like bird’s details, they just have so much to look at besides beak and feet! The wings with lovely feathers are displayed here so well, like it were out of an Audubon magazine! Smiles, Robin
Thank you so much. The best photographs I can take are the large birds in-flight. The feathers are so detailed in those images.