As readers of our blog are aware, we have been visiting a few nests in our community: actually two: one heron nest and one Sandhill crane nest. The other day when I arrived, I saw one of the adult herons across the lake on the shoreline. It was walking along looking for a meal. How any creature that large walking on those long thin legs can look so graceful is a miracle of nature! Their legs are hollow which allows for them to be able to fly and not be weighed down.
( REMEMBER TO CLICK ON ANY IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW)
I started following him directly across the lake, moving along as he did. Now this may sound easy but it was not. The shoreline was on an incline and I was about a third of the way down. There are holes all around (dug by some creatures) that you need to be aware of before you break an ankle. You could also trip causing you and your equipment to take a header into the lake. Oh yeah, a very nice guy (Willie) stopped by to chat and told me there is a ten foot alligator in the lake!!! Great, now every time a fish jumps up causing a splash, I am looking at its direction, looking for this alligator. Okay, so I am trying to follow this heron while walking with my camera on my tripod. I am on an eight foot incline with holes, keeping an eye open for a ten foot alligator! Oh, I didn't mention that part of the time I am walking under the two nests or one of the two adult herons. Why is this important?? Well, it seems that they have a very good digestive system and food travels through it at quite a fast pass. You do not want to be under one when they do. This is not anything like being under a pigeon, more like being under a bucket of white paint, a large bucket.
So you get this: eight foot incline, holes all around, ten foot alligator and the chance of being covered in Heron guano!!! AHH, GOOD TIMES AINT WE HAPPY WE GOT THEM!!!! But I persevered just for you good people. Must keep this blog going if not the awards will stop. Actually after this post, Jim might be taking back the stylish award.
These birds are so interesting to watch while they hunt/fish. They walk along looking down into the water for prey, walking slowly and gracefully on these thin awkward looking legs then they will stop and freeze. They will not move at all. Then their necks will move into a classic S curve which allows them to generate speed when they lunge forward to spear their prey with their sharp powerful bills.
The next two images are what I consider the amazing ones, at least in my personal photography history. Maybe you see images like this all the time but I know, I don't.
After it speared the prey, (a fish), it took it up on the grass to eat which it did very quickly.
Here are some more images from my fishing day with the herons.
In the above image you can see how slowly and gracefully it places it's large claw into the water!!!
18 comments:
Love all the reflection photos! Thanks for spending all the time out there so we can enjoy these wonderful shots!
What amazing captures! great action shots.
Superb!!!
i was wondering where the alligator was...:P
you captured every movement of the herons...they were very delicate... but i'd really like to see them in the wide screen so i could appreciate every detail of the photos...
reflections have a different effect on me... the colors... the water... the clarity of the picture--- very sharp and detailed...
i learned that you actually work "with" them for a whole week... that's truly admirable... you are very very patient...
my art mentor told me not to count the days nor the energy i spent on my artworks... but the "journey" i've done with it... and i see that in you and nature... you become a part of it... and you enjoy it...
and now, i'm contemplating it...
thank you very much for your generosity jim :)... bellisime... full of life...
thumbs up ;)
Loving the image where the heron has it's head in the water - great mirror image reflected, great shots!
awesome! wear a helmet and carry a cage.
A
superb....amazing clicks...wish i was in place of tat heron...then i d have amazin pics of myslf..:P...heron's head in watr...the 3rd one i guess....tats my fav ryt now....:)
great shots...
Congrats on the latest award - you deserve it! Beautiful photos. I particularly love the first one with the reflection.
nice..the reflection is superb..
Congratulations! You do have fantastic and very captivating captures!
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Stunning! You captured every moment of the heron beautifully - a thing a professional photographer can only do....;) Great job Jim! :)
Grats on the award!! LOL loved the charlie sheen bits!! Your photos are amazing!!
Will you stop now Jim - enuuuuuuuffff : )))))). I always remember the smiles with you. On a serious note - Congrats!!!
Thank you everybody..It has been really a lot of fun photographing these birds...
Melissa I hope I do not find out where it is !!
Lucy I am glad you like the reflections tomorrows will be interesting I think
Alejandro I started considering it yesterday, especially the hat.
Debbie thanks for mentioning Charlie I was wondering if people read it lol.
BuyWO I believe it is your first time commenting.. Thank You I checked out your site and understand it is to do with gaming but do not understand what, I'm not a gamer!! bUt thank you for commenting and please come back
it is just totally fascinating to watch all animals and great you have caught them for us to see. thank you and god bless
O, with what freshness,
what solemnity and beauty,
is each new day born;
as if to say to insensate man,
'Behold!
thou hast one more chance!
Strive for immortal glory!
Thank you Jim for letting me see into myself..this has dazed me..
O, with what freshness,
what solemnity and beauty,
is each new day born;
as if to say to insensate man,
'Behold!
thou hast one more chance!
Strive for immortal glory!
Thank you Jim for letting me see into myself..this has dazed me..
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