Yes, we did have snow yesterday. Only about an inch locally but nearby spots had more, some as much as 5″. This morning I went out to try for a full moon shot and as it was setting a huge fog bank was approaching and the moon settled into that after I managed a couple of shots.
I decided to go to Hop Brook, in Amherst, to see if the fog would light up as the sun rose above the horizon. That didn’t happen so I “settled” for making images of frosty leaves. I did capture a few foggy landscapes from a distance and decided to pack up as my fingers were numb. I was just about to zip up the bag when this happened right in front of me.
Guess the title gave it away I was shocked to see one still lingering. Must have lost his ticket to fly south.
And just in case you are wondering about those bright upper back feathers…
Yes, he is carrying a bit of extra weight until it melts. Apparently some of the fog rime-frosted his feathers (or it could possibly be lingering snow but my money’s on the frost). Herons do sometimes frequent cold climes but I’ve never seen one wearing the weather like this.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
“Wearing the weather” is a clever way to put it. I’d heard about the snow from Tom Whelan, who said he got 3 inches. It’s good to hear the freeze still worked in your favor.
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I actually preferred the small amount we got. I am not quite geared up for snow removal. The Boston to Worcester area received the bulk of the snow along with the Western hill towns like Eliza’s area.
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I saw that in her post yesterday.
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The bird doesn’t look too impressed with the cold!
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That made two of us, Chris. Some do hang around in colder climes but I think this one might have lingered a bit too long. Maybe when it flew off it made a left turn and headed south.
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Great capture Steve! The frost makes it quite unique.
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Thanks, Denise. I was surprised to see the heron for starters at this late date and then for it to be coated with frost was indeed unique.
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That first frame with the mirrored silhouette is very striking, and I can feel the chill.
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As could the heron and I. The temperature had dropped to about 19° which makes the sighting somewhat remarkable. The second is just a crop of the first to give a better look at the frosted feathers.
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Poor thing! Though it does make for a great photo.
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I agree. He couldn’t have been very comfortable although feathers do provide some insulation. Maybe this one had a bison somewhere in its background.
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Great image Steve love the frosty detail you captured in this !!
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Thanks, Bernie. This definitely qualified as a once in a lifetime opportunity.
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Great shots. The first time I ever photographed a Great Blue, he was in the snow.
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I had never seen one when this cold, Ted. Thanks!.
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Wow, that is pretty amazing. I’ve never seen frost on an animal before. I guess its feathers are well-insulated!
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Up close I never had either. Lots of images of Yellowstone Bison but I will not be going there in the winter…ever. 🙂 I think you are right about the insulting quality if the feathers.
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Blending into the landscape. I have not seen a bird with frosted feathers before but as Eliza says, the feathers must be well-insulated – the frost stays unmelted, like snow on a wolf’s thick coat.
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I was trying to decide whether it was indeed rime or if the previous day’s snow was still on the heron. I decided on frost as the bird flew in so would have shaken the snow loose.
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Poor bird does look cold – hope it can cope with the weather! Great photograph and ‘wearing the weather’ is a wonderfully descriptive phrase!
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I am sure it was. I know I was. 🙂 Thanks, Ann!
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Excellent combo of a heron, frost and reflection, Steve!
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Thanks, Ellen. And very unexpected as well.
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Oh brr the poor bird! I, too, love your turn of phrase.
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It lifted off easily enough but I am sure the cold was unpleasant. Thanks for liking the quip. 🙂
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I love the way the frosted foliage mimics some of the frosted feathers.
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Everything was frosty except the photographer. I am glad this appeals, Linda. 🙂
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I would have to be VERY hungry to camp out in the frost like the heron did! Fortunately for you, the frosty wait paid off!
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You and me both, Lori. I don’t enjoy the cold at all despite all the photographic opportunities it offers. This was certainly worth all the shivering and numb fingers though. Compared to how animals deal with the weather we are pretty soft. 🙂
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I’ve never seen a frost-covered heron; what a wonderful capture. I will say that they do just fine when it turns cold here. And I do mean cold — we dip below freezing every year, for at least a few days. They find a place out of the wind, and just wait it out.
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I’d never seen that either. Some of our over-wintering song birds yes, but a wader never. From what I’ve read those that do linger usually do so by the ocean rather than inland. It’s easier to be patient waiting for the weather to change where it is more temperate. That’s not the case here.
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Fabulous photos, Steve! Your frozen fingers worked very well. So climate change hasn’t made winters warm enough for them to stay yet. huh? They’re definitely year-round residents here but we have the moderating effect of so much water around. I hope this heron decides to fly south – or way east – before too long!
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By now I hope it has too. It’s only about 100 miles to the Atlantic and the Gulf Stream offers some warmer temperatures for winter. Those who don’t want to migrate a thousand miles can just flap to the east. 🙂
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Too cold for me … but they are survivors.
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It was pretty cold for me also. But animals are able to deal with harsher climates than we are so adapt where needed.
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Pingback: 11 – Heron – Beach Walk Reflections: Thoughts from thinking while walking
Beautiful shots, which I found courtesy of Frank’s Beach Reflections.
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Thank you for following the link, Margaret!
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