Those of you who follow this blog know that one of my greatest thrills is to see the Great Blue Heron. And one of my greatest frustrations is getting a good picture of the bird. My luck seems to have changed as today I am fully satisfied with the pictures I took.
Today, the Heron made its spring debut. I saw it in the late afternoon, just as I approached the pond and the sun’s light came low across the water. Shown below, when it first caught my eye, it’s apparent how this bird blends with its surroundings.
Other years, the Heron and I have taken a little time to get used to each other, and it’s pretty late in the summer before it lets me get close. Today, it seemed as if the winter had not chilled our relationship and we each were confident in the other’s company.
I’ll let my pictures, taken over the course of half an hour, show you our dance, which is like a game of tag. Ever aware of my approach, it let me get within fifteen feet today. One step too close and it would lift-off, glide further along the pond’s shore, and would alight in a new setting for my picture taking. Past years, on the day of our first meeting, it would immediately leave the pond when it became aware of me.
Above, it has settled after I scared it from the shore where I first saw it. The topmost picture shows its glide to this spot.
It stalked along the shore allowing me to get quite close. I’m sure the shoreline scrub gave it a sense of safety.
Landing in last season’s dried reeds, it folded its wings, and then scanned the water.
Tired of my intrusions, it took off once more and headed for the island where it hunted undisturbed.
The picture above has a surreal quality, which I think was caused by the lighting. The Heron looks translucent and as if it were cut and pasted into this shot, or oil painted onto a photo background. Please click on this picture (or any other) to enlarge for fuller appreciation.
SilverLining 