I have a confession to make and it involves a long-held prejudice I’ve had in the past against images of Great Blue Herons.
For over seven years now I’ve belonged to a well-known online nature photography critique site and I was extremely active in their bird photography forum for most of that time. A high percentage of images presented there for critique were photos of Great Blue Herons. I think there’s several reasons for that – they’re very common and widespread, they tend to be approachable, they’re large and conspicuous and because of their size and slow flight they’re relatively easy to photograph in flight.
After that many years of analyzing and critiquing so many Great Blue Heron images I slowly and subtly became somewhat jaded toward images of the species. It reached the point where I didn’t have a lot of enthusiasm for photographing them and I seldom posted them to my blog. Shame on me!
This post is one small step toward rectifying the situation.
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon 100-400 @ 150mm, not baited, set up or called in
Earlier this month we spotted this heron just after dawn as it foraged in the canal along the road leading to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. As you can see from my specs (150mm) I was very close to the bird – much too close for my 500mm lens so I quickly grabbed my other 7D and was able to get in a few shots as it took off. I like the flight posture, the warm light and the natural setting even though my squarish composition may not be ideal (no more room on the right).
When I think about it I have to admit that I have minor prejudices against photographing a few other native birds too – Canada Geese and several gull species come to mind. I’m slowly coming around to giving them their photographic due, thanks in part to my friend Mia who has been a good influence on me – especially with gulls.
I’m a work in progress…
Ron
Re your last comment: ” Aren’t we all?” Hmm bad grammar. Like the lighting in this and the wing detail.
“….my friend Mia…has been a good influence on me….” I say, “Listen to Mia”…..
I LOVE Canada Geese! …for the same reasons that I like Chickdees , LBJ’s and other ” monchromatic” birds…they remind me of sumi-e paintings as they are composed of patterns and values, a play of lights and darks,rather than colors. I also love to paint GBH’s. They are semi prehistoric to me, especially their calls. I never tire of their colors patterns, their grace… and their “fringes”. I love what Susan Stone said. She so often says what I think but can’t say as well.
Thank you for the compliment, Patty. You do the same thing for me. And I’m glad to find someone else who loves Canada Geese – they are personable as well as beautiful, and lots of fun to interact with.
Our population of GBHs along the Texas Gulf Coast are often suspicious and won’t stick around once they see the camera’s infrared AF. They are also usually quite loud when complaining if one gets too close. I don’t make pictures of them too often, mostly because down here they tend to pose, a lot, and for long periods of time. Which is why I imagine there are so many images — it’s not that tricky. Agreed that they are gorgeous. I’ve gone out to their rookeries (by legal means) the past few springs and enjoy their chicks — which are very loud and look like frankensteinian dinosaurs.
So Great Blue Herons were your LBJ’s. ‘Common as muck, and not worth the effort.’ We all have them. And I love that you have opened your eyes and heart to them. Again.
Beautiful shot. We all have predjudices concerning certain birds. Glad you’re working through yours. I’m working through mine, I hope!! Starlings…Grackles…they raid little bird nests. I’ll get over it.
The Great Blue is one of my favorite birds. My mother lived on a gorgeous bayou in Louisiana. We would see the Great Blues and the Great White Egrets in hugs flocks. I’m glad you are ending that prejudice. They are a beautiful species.
Ron – just a very simple question – in regard to the comment of yours on “warm light” do you have a preference to taking photos in the AM or the PM? Or does it make much difference. I have been birding for only a few years now and have just started getting into the photo side of the adventure.
Thanks and have a great weekend.
Mark, I love warm light and it can be so in both early morning and evening. But nearly all of my photography is done in the morning (unless I’m on a camping trip) for several reasons – I’m a morning person by nature, birds seem to be most active in mornings and I despise fighting the evening traffic on the way home during much of the year. When I shoot in the morning I’m on the road before most of the traffic is and it’s died down by the time I head for home.
Beautiful flight shot Ron!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Though the Canadian Geese are more than common in some areas, they are somewhat of a rarity here in south Texas. I would imagine the same could be said for the Great Blue Herons in some areas. The fact that most birds have limited ranges which vary according to species means that someone somewhere may be viewing a particular bird that is uncommon in their area, and consequently of interest.
Keep the variety coming!
Thanks for the encouragement, Jim. Yes, I will “keep the variety coming”.
Another wonderful photo (prejudiced or not) Ron. I appreciate your candidness and Susan Stone I must heartily agree with Ron….Well said!
Thanks for the feedback on candidness, Steve. Sometimes I think I bare my soul a little too freely…
I think we probably all have some things to learn when it comes to prejudices. I certainly have mine, and one thing that creates prejudice in me is when something is overdone. Like your overexposure to Great Blue Herons… Your photos help me to look at ‘ordinary’ birds in a new way, to see beauty and uniqueness where I might not otherwise see it. We are all works in process and if there’s no more room for growth in us, there’s not much point in hanging around any longer.
“if there’s no more room for growth in us, there’s not much point in hanging around any longer”
Well said, Susan. Sure glad I’ve got so much room for growth because I’d like to stick around a little longer…!
Ron.
I generally do not photograph Canada Geese for the reason they are ubiquitous, almost to the extent of being a nuisance. Probably should rethink that. As far as Great Blue Herons, notwithstanding how common they are (but not like Canada Geese), I find them interesting, especially when they are foraging. They also make great portraits.. Liked your photo.
You make some good points, Doug. Thank you.