These photographs capture the standard flight style of a Great Blue in a rookery. Basically it’s come in low, then pull up fast for the approach to the nest.
I can’t figure out why they use this method. My best guess is the angle must make it easier to navigate through the hanging branches.
Now I need to remember my theory for when the Great Egrets nest here. It will be interesting to see if they use the same path. I don’t remember from previous years
BTW, It’s a spectacular show.
For about a half hour before this Spoonbill were flying all around, joining different groups, in general pretty busy.
And then these two casually walked away from all the activity.
At the time it was funny that rather than fly they went for a casual stroll.
ACE Basin, South Carolina.
A Heron hunkered up against the cold wind.
I know 32 degrees (0 Celsius) is not cold to many people, even with the 15 mph wind. It wasn’t cold to me once either.
Well, we are in the ‘warmer climes’ and to both the Great Blue and me it was pretty cold. February here is true winter.
Great Blue Heron calling out loud for a mate.
Sepia photograph for something a little different.
Three images from the ‘to do’ list here. Another set of a landing Spoonbill.
I can’t seem to pass up photographing these pink guys when they pull back their wings like this to slow down.
Another shot taken in old Magnolia Cemetery. The Night Herons here are shy as usual but a few spots give an open view to their roosts.
When they all come together as a flock there may be up to thirty Herons. That’s more than I have ever seen anywhere else.
These photographs were taken one morning at Bear Island, a South Carolina wildlife management area.
A few decent sized flocks were moving through the old rice fields for their morning feeding.
Overgrown trails run along dikes separating the marshes. As long as we were not too obvious the Pelicans drifted close as they moved back and forth.
The water was pretty clear that morning too making the images look a lot better than some others I have taken here. This place can be really muddy.
I had seen this Great Blue going over the right side of the dike. There are always small food critters on the waters edge.
He was not gone long though.
The bird came strolling out standing tall. I assume he had been watching me the whole time. Me, I had almost forgotten about him.
Above you can see he took a few steps and went right into the quick escape pose.
In milliseconds he went from standing to airborne.
He moved so fast I just followed with him and shot high speed until the buffer was filled. Above, I almost moved the camera faster than he was going.
He leaned a little in my direction after this, he needed to clear some reeds, and I lost him in the view finder. Cut him in half and no focus LOL.
