Two days ago I spent way too much time trying to get photos I like of a Great Blue Heron who spent most of ‘his’ time in settings that were unattractive or in shade. Or both. So I gave up on the heron and focused my attention on a female Belted Kingfisher. Within minutes she’d caught a fish but she landed with it in a tree where she was mostly obstructed by twigs and branches.
I was beginning to think it was going be a “skunked’ kind of morning.
That’s when I noticed that when I wasn’t looking the heron had landed on the most ideal perch in or near the entire pond – a mostly submerged stump in the shallow pond in almost perfect light. It was 23° F. so the stump even had a little snow on top of it from a storm the day before.
I didn’t have to wait long for him to take off.
If you’re familiar with Great Blue Herons you’ll likely notice that his takeoff and flight are a little different from most by this species. His intended destination was another stump along the shore on the far side of the pond. That new perch was only about 75′ away, with a flight across nothing but water, so it would be a leisurely takeoff and short flight that didn’t require much effort because he had no reason to gain elevation.
In fact, he began his takeoff with…
what almost looked like…
a little dance, eventually taking off by pushing off with only one foot, since he didn’t really need to gain elevation.
Airborne.
Now about all he needed to do was gain a little speed, but not much.
In this shot and the previous one the heron is pretty much centered in the frame so I could include all of the perch he took off from for as long as possible.
In this photo and several others, I like that we can see the slight disturbance on the surface of the water caused by…
the downward airflow caused by his beating wings. It’s subtle but I notice stuff like that.
He was so low his feet, or at least his left foot, dipped into the water just before this shot was taken. All of these photos are sequential shots in a burst without any skips, and my burst rate is 12 frames per second, so I’m a little surprised that I missed capturing his foot (or feet) in the water.
But I didn’t miss it…
the next time.
In this last shot of him in flight I’m beginning to lose detail on the left side of the frame because of out of focus vegetation between me and the heron. I got five more sharp shots before he landed without cutting off any body parts but because of the increasing amount of lost detail I’m not including them here.
This is where he landed. It’s his favorite grooming perch.
You may be seeing more photos of this heron sometime soon. On this same morning I documented a special skill of his. To be honest, I don’t know if he’s highly skilled or just lucky but I was delighted to document the unusual behavior, even though the most important photos I got were partially obstructed. But you’ll be able to see what’s most important.
Sorry for the teaser but I already included more than enough photos for a single post. And I’m tired of processing.
Ron
Ron – all good. Late checking in – been busy. Love Herons.
We have them all – Great Blue, Black-crowned Night, and Green.
Have watched them often struggle for hours with a huge Catfish that is almost impossible to get down without hands, but they never give up.
Thanks Everett. We have those three herons too, but the Green only rarely. Never Yellow-crowned that I know of.
Always enjoy your commentary – and the shots are GREAT – and the heron is BEAUTIFUL. Good work. Keep it going…as I wouldn’t want you to get lazy!!
Thanks, Judy. It’s too late. I’m already lazy.
Nice photos! I look forward to the next installment!
Thanks, Joanne.
I didn’t know they dipped their feet into the water when flying. Cool shots.
I don’t think they usually do, Pamela.
My favourite bird to photograph. This is a real nice series!
Thanks, Bruce.
Nice series. Love the capture of the leg/neck body English with the wing beats. 23°F! I’m thinking that little dance was ‘him’ trying to get feeling back in those feet.
“23°F! I’m thinking that little dance was ‘him’ trying to get feeling back in those feet.”
Ha, maybe he was, Michael. My feet were cold and I was in my pickup.
The GBH Ballet. 😃 Can’t begin to describe how delighted I am by your post of one of my favorite birds this morning! Such a treat to have two posts chock-full of fabulous shots this week!
“Such a treat to have two posts chock-full of fabulous shots this week!”
I’m glad you think so, Marty. I definitely wondered if I’ve been overdoing it with too many photos.
Never too many photos for us to admire! 💜💜💜
Don’t tempt me…
Actually, you have nothing to worry about. Processing photos is too much work. Not to mention writing the text.
Beautiful series, I will have to look at them on my computer when home!
Thanks, April. I hope you do.
I can almost hear the strains of “Swan Lake” in these photos of the beautiful heron. Doing an almost-pirouette in #3-5. 🩰 So glad you were not skunked, considering the temperature you endured that morning!
I thought of Swan Lake too, Chris. Especially when I got to photo #5.
One of your best sequences ever, Ron! I truly enjoyed it – thank you!
I’m glad you think so, Karen. I’m pretty fond of it myself.
Magnificent! Just WOW! 🙂 I’ve never been able to get one to cooperate like that!. Down on the creek they know I’m there and off they go……. Roads are a little ugly but it has warmed up a bit.. 😉
Judy, this one was pretty skittish when he first arrived on the pond. He’s calmed down quite a bit since then.
I’ve been watching the Cut Bank webcam the past couple of days. Looks pretty nasty up there too.
You did hit the jackpot with this one !
We have great blue herons on Lake Of The Ozarks and they frequently fish in the end of our cove . If something disturbs them they make a racket like no other . Sounds positively prehistoric .
“Sounds positively prehistoric ”
It sure does, Laurel. That’s a perfect word for it.
beautiful photos in lovely light 🙂
Thanks, Judy.
Team Ballerina Pose – #5! Excellent captures Ron – excellent setting, lighting, the activity, and of course the Heron! Glad you had this experience instead of being ‘skunked.’ 😳😂
Kathleen, being skunked occasionally comes with the territory but that doesn’t make it any fun.
Thank you for the detailed views of the heron taking off and flying. I really enjoyed seeing how the wing feathers change through it’s movements and especially the bit of fluff on the chest as it responds to the motion.
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Jean. Thanks.
Amazing series of photos Ron! I’m so glad you turned around and found him on the stump. Wish you could have gotten some good shots of the belted kingfisher. I know they are one of your favorite Birds.
Thanks, Melanie.
Chances of getting good shots of the kingfisher mostly disappeared with the tree leaves. When she’s on her favorite fishing perch, the leaves used to hide the white house behind them. No more…
Beautiful! Thank you!
Thanks, Mary.
Wow! A lovely sequence. A beautiful moment caught on such a cold morning. Thanks for continuing to share your adventures. I have to say I don’t miss those below freezing days, but I do miss my friends in Utah.
” but I do miss my friends in Utah.”
And your northern friends miss you – confirmed by a visit with Diane yesterday. Thanks, Brett.
Omygosh–it’s almost as if he were waiting for you on a stage–
“I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. Dudley”…..his white face and long white breast-feathers are highlighted in a way that make them focal
points in the otherwise low-key surroundings, and his dynamic grace
in the take-off shots is just breathtaking .Thanks for a beautiful start
to my day !
“it’s almost as if he were waiting for you on a stage.”
That’s kinda what I thought, Kris. He waited for me to notice him and then performed beautifully, and a little unusually. Thanks.
Amazing! And I can enjoy from warm comfort of home !
Thanks, David. Yup, it was cold that morning. Our coldest so far this winter. I thought there might be ice on the pond but there wasn’t.