AKA Green Heron.
I decided to walk the rail trail this morning looking for frogs. It was overcast which would be good at cutting down the glare that is sometimes unavoidable on a sunny day with a wet frog. Even a polarizer often fails. It was a good day for shooting frogs and they will show up some Friday or another.
But the highlight for me, even as a frog lover, was three green herons. As I walked back toward my car I saw one land in a tree. But by the time I got the tripod set up it flew after a nice voiding. Guess that’s an argument for losing the tripod. Anyway, with my tail tucked between my legs I started to the car once again. After a few minutes a Green Heron landed about 40 feet away in the swamp and this time I was ready. It might have been the same one or not. Then another joined it and then a third. When the third landed it scared the second away to the top of a beaver lodge. But the first stayed and I had a nice time shooting the two in various poses.
Nice tootsies.
There were lot of small fish swimming around but the heron did not seem interested which was a disappointment.
Keep on truckin, heron.
All were shot with the 5D Mark IV and Tamron 100-400 with a doubler on the tripod.
The light was good for frogs but not so much for feathers. I was able to bring the heron out of the gloom with Lightroom’s masking and a few other adjustments.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
No frogs but you found some expert frog hunters!
Terrific photographs, despite the light.
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Thanks, Wally. As much as I enjoy these guys no frogs were sacrificed in the shooting.
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Very hoppy to hear that or else I might have croaked.
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🐸 🐸 🐸
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Such beautiful birds… nice shots, Steve!
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Thanks, Eliza. There are a few herons I’ve not seen yet but in my opinion these are the loveliest.
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Great job on capturing the green herons, Steve! Here in the interior of BC, I only know the blue heron.
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Thanks, Peter. Maybe one will fly off course and visit you someday.
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Wonderful captures Steve. The detail in the feathers, especially in the last, is amazing!
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Thanks, Denise. When purchasing the Tamron I was worried that it might not be as sharp as I’d like. I had tried a Sigma and was disappointed but this one keeps impressing me.
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My Sigma 150-600mm is amazingly sharp! I had an older Tamron that wasn’t so I guess it depends on the model and how new it is … improvements have been made by both companies.
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It’s financially difficult to keep up with improvements. I just upgraded a couple pieces of equipment but to “newer” but not current new items..the 7D Mark II and the 100 macro Mark II. Hopefully I’ll be satisfied with my current kit for a while.
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Glad I am not the only one ditching my equipment for mirrorless!
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DId you mean ditching or not ditching? My opinion, based on no factual experimentation personally, is the main difference between the newer cameras and those we are using is noticeable by pixel peeping.
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Yes, I meant NOT ditching! I’m happy with what I’m getting and I’m sure you are too. Your work is fabulous!
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Thanks, Denise. I feel the same for your work. Love those wonderful mountainscapes.
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Always a good day when you get the Green Herons. Nice shots 😁😁😁
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I agree, Ted. I saw a lot of frogs which was my mission but these were the high point. Thanks!
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Now you don’t have to be green with (heron) envy. In these specimens the only green seems to be on the top of their heads. Do any of these herons ever show more green than that?
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There is green on their backs too and sometimes the wings show a bit too. It’s a darker green and sometimes looks blue.
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These are favorites of mine. There are quite a few around now, and when territorial squabbles break out, they’re loud. I’d always thought they were our smallest heron, but it turns out that honor belongs to the Least Bittern. I really like the sticks as the background; it’s fun to see them in a different environment than the marinas, although their acrobatics on the docklines are entertaining.
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A favorite of mine too. The last few years I’ve not seen very many at the swamp but yesterday was a bonus. I usually see them as singles so was surprised to see a couple hanging together. All the fallen branches, many of which were probably placed there by the resident beavers, gave them a few perches and it was fun seeing them hopping from one to the other.
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Beauties.
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Aren’t they! I am always happy to see them and even happier to get a few images.
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The herons are beautiful – but for the frogs’ sakes, I hope they ate elsewhere…
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The entire time I was with these two I did not see them catch anything. There were lots of small fish splashing around but maybe they had already eaten elsewhere.
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Nice work, Steve! We occasionally see green herons in the slough area of the orchard. They’re one of my favorites!
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Thanks, Lori. They are my favorite of the herons as well. And usually I get to see a few of them but not usually all at the same time.
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Very nice Steve! They are fun to photograph as they are looking for a meal!
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They have an intense look to them even when relaxing by the pool. Thanks, Reed!
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Great captures, Steve! I love these colorful herons!
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Thanks, Donna. They are my favorite waders although I see them on logs or branches more often than actually wading.
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I can’t imagine three Green herons! That’s wonderful, I’m happy for you. You just have to be outside a lot and these things happen. The photos are great. I love their bullet shape and intensity – they are serious!!
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It was a first for me. I imagine it isn’t that rare an occurrence. Thanks, Lynn!
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