Walking down a trail at a local swamp I noticed this Great Blue frozen in place. He was doing his best to be invisible.
Being Invisible (Heron Perspective)
Truth is he was standing maybe 10 feet off to my right as I walked by. Taking this shot I did the ‘no eye contact’ trick. It worked. He never moved and I walked right by.
I may have shot this hanging out the car window. One of those ‘STOP…’ !
Several times we came on the smaller herons standing in the mangroves. After the light started to fade the green colors reflected into the water like this.
The big difference between shooting in a marsh versus a swamp is the distance of the subject. In swamps the birds are comfortable with being closer, and often initiate it themselves.
Below a heron walked in front of me and began hunting in the shallows.
Great Blue Heron
I stayed on dry ground (big surprise) and the Great Blue wandered in the cut nearby.
Great Blue HeronGreat Blue Heron
I’m not sure if he caught anything. Eventually he casual walked the other direction.
It’s that time of year here, Great Blue Herons nesting.
Household Chores, HeronHousehold Chores, Heron
If we are lucky, and work a little, a good spot in a swamp gives us the opportunity for photograph scenes like this for a good while. Once the big birds get motivated for the day there are multiple foraging trips to catch.
Household Chores, Heron
BTW, he gets motivated when she tells him he is 😁.
He jumped up, and so did I. Never did see him there until this first shot.
Jumped In Front Of Me, Great Blue
Herons were around in these reeds, I had seen some earlier. I just didn’t expect one this close.
Jumped In Front Of Me, Great Blue
I don’t think he expected me either.
Jumped In Front Of Me, Great Blue
A rookery was off on an island in this marsh. Not only were there Great Blues, there were also Spoonbills building nests. While it was a little far we watched the activity for a while.