I set out again to shoot some turtles and maybe a frog or two and did so cannot do a fourth “You don’t always” post. No complaint about that. And I usually like to keep my subjects varied over time but in this case had such a fun few minutes following this Great Blue Heron as I was returning to my car that I decided to share a couple of images. Actually it was more like leading the way as I would get ahead and then wait for him to come closer. (I don’t know how to determine a GBH gender so am going with male)
While shooting some turtles I noticed this view of the bird preening in the tree top. My first few angles had a branch blocking part of the neck so I walked back a ways and got a clear though more distant view.
In the middle of nit picking the heron shook a tail feather or two. Lightroom’s new masking ability really allowed me to bring out the color and detail of the bird as the overcast sky really affected the exposure.
We walked along the swamp a little when he decided to check out this human shadowing him.
Not looking quite as majestic as usual and maybe even a bit goofy. Again, masking helped give the shot some separation from the background.
Of course he wasn’t all that interested in me, but also not intimidated enough to leave, so continued along looking for a few bites to eat. I didn’t capture any of his catches but did get one down to business appearance.
I made a few exposures here but liked the dark tree contrasting with the head allowing the little bit of color to show on this overcast day.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
His look in the second shot is realy penetrating 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fortunately I was far enough away so that sword of a beak couldn’t penetrate me. 🙂
LikeLike
In the top picture, the dead branch below the one the heron stood on makes the view unique. The middle picture makes the bird’s neck seem looonnggg.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems because it is. When they are hunting that long neck comes in handy for striking at their prey.
LikeLike
Yes, penetrating and hilarious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did think he looked funny in that shot. Kind of a tall goof.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The heron is like the moose of the bird world…looks like it was designed by a committee of children…until it flies. Another nice surprise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gangly and awkward until, as you say, it takes flight when it is quite graceful.
LikeLike
They are rather comical looking, aren’t they? I like the metallic look and detail to the feathers in the first image… perhaps having a bad ‘feather’ day?
LikeLiked by 1 person
They rumple themselves up after a good nit hunt and end with a nice shake. Although a bit awkward looking, I think they have a bit of a regal appearance when standing tall. When I was a kid I read a book called “David and the Phoenix” and the heron reminds me of that mythological bird.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the way he’s eyeing you in the second photograph…trying to work out what you are up to! (Perhaps wondering if you’d found a good spot to fish!!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or maybe saying I hope that thing isn’t loaded.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent images, Steve. I need to work on the masking technique. Thanks for the encouragement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jane. Here’s a nice tutorial by Julieanne Kost. Experimenting is the best teacher. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love her tutorials. Thanks for the reminder. I tried it today and it works great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s nothing like the appraising look in the eye of a wild creature. What a great set of photos. I was up in the hill country all weekend, and the only birds I saw there were vultures and doves.They’re fine, but I do love the water birds, and you’ve done a fine job capturing this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Linda. This heron was very accepting of me following it as it waded through the swamp. Lucky me. Usually they fly off if I walk along.
LikeLike
Glad to see this one was unconcerned enough to let you stick with it for a while. And great job bringing out the details, especially in that first image. I love when the breeze catches their feathers, or when they are ruffling them. Always interesting birds to watch and photograph.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was pleased that not only did this heron allow me to walk with it but also did a variety of things. Often when I find them, which is usually in the morning, they spend all their time preening which is indeed interesting but makes for a lot of the same picture. Thanks, Todd.
LikeLike
Just fabulous, Steve. I like the choice to include both branches in the first photo and to keep everything bright and unsaturated. Wow, that works! GBH’s sure do get into some odd positions with their long feathers – I’ve seen many bad hair day GBH photos. But nothing like this one. The next one’s fun as well – looks like it’s imitating a Bittern.
Several hundred GBH’s in our (Fidalgo Island) rookery are incubating eggs and feeding chicks. There are 3 new cameras and they’re supposed to be up and running for the public to see soon. Since I volunteered to help monitor nest productivity I can watch anytime. It’s windy up there!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Someone on FB thought it was a bittern. 🙂 I’ve not seen a nest in any of the trees in this swamp. I did visit a private pond nearby yesterday where several nests are occupied and received constant visits so there must be young. I’ve only seen “eaglecams” so a “heroncam” sounds interesting. Thanks, Lynn!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll try to remember to send you a link when it goes live. It’s really nice that you have nests nearby, ah, spring! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great Series of images Steve! Enjoyed seeing them!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Reed!
LikeLiked by 1 person