If you can find some Spanish Moss to frame the subject a photo becomes much more interesting.
Tricolored Heron.
Tricolored In The Moss
Category Archives: Heron
Young Black-crowned Fly By
Juvenile Night Heron quickly passing by.
For a medium sized bird they are fairly fast.
I managed to grab a decent number of shots, but like I said…fast.
These are they only two photographs worth publishing.
Heron In A Marsh
A simple shot of a Great Blue in a marsh. No drama, heck I couldn’t even think of a title here.
Classic Great Blue, that’s it.
A Treasure, Heron
A Great Blue heading back to the nest with a treasure.
Sharing Space
I made a joke about sharing space with a Great Blue, how big they were, and their sharp bill, in a recently article.
Well here is real sharing space.
This Heron flew down from a nest and I must have been blocked from view by a tree. I was too close to focus and stepped back for these. Of course he saw me but by then he was focused on a prize stick.
Got it!
Actually there were several so he came back a few times.
Always At Dusk
The same time every day. Around 4:30 PM the males who have a mate return from the marsh. They bring nesting sticks, an offering for being gone so long I think.
She stands to greet him, sometimes calling out a hoarse greeting.
At this time of year the sun is just dropping below the tree line. Light gets better soon, but one side of the swamp with many nests is too dark to shot.
The female may now leave the nest to hunt, or send the male back out for more materials. For the next hour the male may retrieve materials from all around the area.
Photographers look out ! When a male is in the frantic search he may not see us and at times you end up sharing the same space. And remember… almost as tall as a person and have a very long sharp bill. They get the right of way LOL.
Thanks To The Heron
Just a pretty shot that a Great Blue Heron handed to me.
I could not have asked for better light or angle. The feather details were completely on display.
ACE Basin, South Carolina.
Guarding The Spot
It starts the same way every year.
The male returns to a rookery. He may have mated here before, even been born here. This begins the new cycle.
Did I mention it’s boring, and they get hungry waiting. If they do leave for food chances are another Great Blue takes the spot.
The lucky ones find the remains from the last years hard work. Some come and find the branch, even tree, gone and they must find another suitable location.
Once they get situated they stand and wait for her.