This is the series I always try to catch. A Great Blue Heron as they leave the nest.
It’s a leap of faith, an assumption that after they jump off the tree they fly.
If they don’t it’s a swamp, with Alligators, right below. No room for error.
The ‘tell’ of a take off is bent knees, leaning forward. It’s not 100% but it’s a motion they all use.
This Heron followed the routine perfectly.
If you miss the signs of a take off most likely you will miss everything and try for a further out in flight shot.
Every photograph here had the exact same time stamp, 4:53:40. This all occurred under 1 second.
Each year at the start of the nesting season we miss most of these opportunities. We get better, but it takes time to shake the rust off!
….your description is so very interesting to those who never encounter such awkwardly graceful and angularly majestic creatures like herons
Just moments ago I came back from a swamp with Heron nests. Angular is indeed how they are. A brazen one walked only feet from me letting me almost be part of his hunt. Amazing birds.