Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Friday 24 April 2015

Grey Heron

The Heronries in my area are in full swing. There are young in the nests. What a racket these birds and their babies make. It's almost like a squeal of someone in severe pain. Until I lay my eyes on the birds I'm always a little disturbed, and even then I think is there really any need for such a noise.
That said, I could stand and watch a Heron for hours. I just love watching them stalk their prey in the water. Sometimes standing there motionless, waiting for the moment to strike.
Even in flight they have a sort of majesty about them. Long lolloping wing beats, neck tucked in.
They don't always look that graceful though. When they try to land near their nests, there is usually quite a lot of flapping, with branches swaying. It does make me laugh.
A pleasure to see at any time though.

Not where I'd typically see a Grey Heron standing.



 
Coming in to land in a tree.

 

33 comments:

  1. These are beautiful shots, Adam. My favourite bird!
    (ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

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  2. I've seen tons of Herons but not quite like this..I love the pattern on their necks..Thanks for the close up and personal..Fantastic shots..

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  3. Beautiful series of images.The neckpattern is stunning.

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  4. Wonderful series on the Heron. They are loud birds. Thank you so much for linking up, have a happy weekend!

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  5. Amazing shots of grey heron.

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  6. That 4th photo really shows coloration I never saw before

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  7. Very well composed photos here and the photo of the heron landing is awesome! I don't think our herons here have the pattern on the neck. Now I'll have to look for it next time I see one.

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  8. They are amazing birds! I've always been fond of them. Love the markings on this one's neck. I've never noticed that before! beautiful photos!

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  9. handsome as can be! great fence sitter. :)

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  10. These are wonderful shots of a beautiful bird.

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  11. Beautiful images you have sent us, my favourite is the last, fantastic Adam.

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  12. Shoot his right profile!

    - Gray 'Montgomery Clift' Heron
    ~

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  13. Beautiful....that last photo of it taking flight is just downright awesome.

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  14. Fabulous captures Adam. Love the bird's necktie!!

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  15. He's a stunning bird and you got some really nice shots of him. I really like that 2nd shot and the one of him taking off at the end.

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  16. Fantastic photos of this handsome bird.

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  17. A whole series of these beautiful Blue reiger.Waar I live is a whole colony in the trees and yes ... they make a lot of noise. It's a horrible screeching:-) But there is no microphone sit in the blogs;-) Your pictures are certainly very nice:-)

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  18. Beautiful shots !

    http://gattina-keyholepictures.blogspot.com/

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  19. Great shots! Third is wonderful!

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  20. Very good photos Adam. I especially like that last one as you managed a really good exposure and shutter speed to get the whole bird in focus and capture the underbody and leg colour.

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  21. What a lovely creature! Love the colour and it's slender neck. All we have around here are seagulls! #animaltales.

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  22. Our herons are far more plain then this pretty creature.

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  23. Great photos - sharp and clear. I love herons apart from when they empty our pond of fish.

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  24. Stunning photo's. I have never been able to capture one so clearly as you have. Mine are normally on full zoom. :-)

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  25. Beautiful study of this wonderful bird. We used to live near a rookery tree in Oregon and I loved visiting it. It was just the one nest tho.

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  26. Should have said that "my" nest was a Great Blue Heron's. It is so amazing to watch those big birds balanced on twigs and small branches while they work on their nest repair each season.

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  27. birds are very graceful in flight but take off and landing leaves a lot to be desired and often very comical

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  28. Great photos, a lovely set :) #animaltales

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  29. thanks, adam! made me smile all over again. :)

    (llamas and donkeys are both used here by cattle ranchers to keep the herd - mostly the younger calves - safe from coyotes.) :)

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  30. The Mother says - Awesome photos. I always think there's something almost prehistoric about Herons. We have a rather cheeky one that keeps 'visiting' our neighbours pond and Lucas (whose 6) is fascinated by him. Have been introduced to your blog from over #animaltales and I always enjoy reading and looking at your posts. Your photos are truly stunning :)

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  31. We have a lot of herons locally who like to stand in a couple of particular fields on a dog walk I do. The fields are high up and well away from water so I have no idea why they like them so much. I usually only see the herons from a distance (thank you dogs for that) so it's great to see the detail of their plumage from your pictures.

    Thank you so much for adding the tale of the heron to #AnimalTales. Looking forward to seeing which feathered friend you give us next week!

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I enjoy reading your comments as much as I enjoy taking the pictures. Thank you for taking the time to comment on my post.