Green Heron (at last!!!)

CyberDyneSystems wrote:


Just drawing attention to this thread again

I think that RSG has solved our Great Blue Vs. Grey problem Howie....

Thought you might want to read the rest above.

I agree -- this is my blue -- and probably the feathers are there in the "small print !". Thanks RSG and CDS.

HOWIE

CyberDyneSystems - I love blue herons too; they're my favorite bird. There is such a grace about them. I live close to the Willamette River (in Oregon) so see them on occasion, but when they see me they fly away.

On this particular day I spotted this blue heron off sunning on an island; I was on the distant shore. I shot tons of photos of it while patiently waiting for it to fly but after nearly an hour I bicycled on and when I was on the opposite side of the river a long while later it was still there in the same spot! I think that the stripe on her head may be picking up the blue of the water? (Note the heart shape area behind where it sits - )

You Oregon Heron is a beauty.
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The light is so bright I assume that it is coming in from the East. My "working hypothesis" is that shots at 90 degrees to the sun offer the best chance of light and shadows. I may change my mind tomorrow!!!

I am blown away by the glittering water.
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It has to be the most special light on water that I have seen posted. It makes me want to windsurf at Hatteras when the light is just so so fine. Wonderful refreshing light.

BUT.. since you love Herons,
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I will tell you that my wife was at the Bruce Pit last nite. Four herons were on site when a hawk flew in. The largest bird took off and slowly circled the Pit, the hawk trying to keep up. Then when the hawk called for reinforcements and its mate came by.

Two against one.

That is when the Heron called for help. Soon two spots appeared in the far off distance. As they drew nearer, they were clearly two more herons. They landed and stayed with the three on the ground. That being the situation, the hawks left for home.

Here is a shot that I took with the G2 last nite.
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Leighow - thank you for your comments and compliments, and for the intriguing story. You've captured a wonderful shot; I love the reflection! Bravo!

re the light, i think that it was coming from the east, though i was so focused on the heron that i barely noticed anything else!

Oh my WOW!

That is the Bluest blue heron I have ever seen New Girl!

The light is hitting it just right!
What a stunning photo I hope you have a nice print of that on your wall somewhere.

The Hawk,. definatley a hawk,. not at all sure of the breed,. it is a very tricky angle. Isn't funny that a photo that is such a good action shot,. and amazingly well detailed,. should offer such a tricky angle for identifying?

I can not remember what Hawk is also referred to as a turkey hawk in some areas.

In your neck of the woods the likely suspects would be;
(in no particular order)

Coppers hawk,
Swainsons Hawk,
Sharp Shinned Hawk,
GosHawk,.. (this was my impression.. but really I can't tell)
The Ubiquitous Red Tailed Hawk (I thinkI'd recognize that one)

... the Other strong possibility,. especially since it was near the water,. is an Osprey.

I am tempted to offer the Osprey as my guess based solely on the "bug eye" that is one of the details we can make out.

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Howie,

That is quite a story! I wish I had been there to see that collection of airialists!

Keep the pics coming so I don't have to drive up there!

CDS

Ah, thank you kindly CyberDyneSystems for your generous comments and thanks for inspiring me! Actually I had to dig through my photo archives and dust this one off; so not in a frame, yet

The flying bird may well be an Osprey since I know that we have 'em here in the Great Northwest. Here are some ID tips I found on the Osprey:

Length: 22 inches Wingspan: 54 inches
Large, narrow-winged hawk
Flies on flat wings with distinct kink at elbow
Wings taper to a rounded tip
Short hooked beak
White cap
Dark brown eyeline broadening behind eye
Dark brown nape, back and upperwings
Wings from below: flight feathers white barred with black, undersecondary coverts white and underprimary coverts black producing rectangular black mark at wrist
White chin, throat, breast and belly
Brown tail has a number of white bands

Whadya think?

Wow... all of you with your Heron pictures...I really need to get out and shoot some of these (in the most non-lethal way possible, of course

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I think it's an Osprey!

That is a great description you posted,. what is the source if you don't mind my asking. None of my reference books have such detail for identifying,. but then I don't have Petersen's yet for some odd reason.

When in doubt ask google . I love having a library at my fingertips and whenever I have a question (about anything) I just start searching on the web. This particular bit of info came from:

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framl​st/i3640id.html

Thanks for the positive ID.

Hey ... you inspiring nature lovers!
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So... picture me at the Bruce Pit... I am under the walking bridge digitizing a super shot of wild flowers. They are glowing in the evening sun, the bridge is my sun shield, and the air is filled with humidity, mist and low western light! (You better ask me to post that too !!!!) One image later I emerge and see a Heron land 300 feet to my left.

I Shusssss the dog, we walk softly breaking cover only to peek though the bush cover to view the pond. But we can't see the Heron.

So like Livingston along the Nile, we press on. and on.. and on.. and on -- but only 100 feet farther to the gravel lookout.

There "she" is stalking the wild asparaus et al while in amoungst the cattails.

Ohhhh - Can - a - dahhhhhh


HOWIE

PS: Another highly cropped G2 image -- oh about 1/6 of the total.

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Howie - I love your story and the accompanying photo. Great!

Anyone know what kind this is? I think the lighting might be too bad to tell

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Not a heron but a Stork
I was out walking on a recent visit to Poland and came across this nest, Taken with S45

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Jenga,

When asking for a bird ID,. it really helps to know where the photo is taken? Many species live in only certain areas.

That said,. I can tell you with great certanty that you excellent photos is another "Great Blue Heron"

You see the dark patch of (almost) black just at the shoulder? As far as I know this particular deistinction is only found in the "Great Blue"

UK,

Wow that stork builds a big nest!
Looks like I could get comfortable in there!

Howie,.

I LOVE the atmosphere in this latest pic! Stalking in the reeds!

And you and I have an odd trait in common,...

........the very odd habit of trying to stalk wild and skittish birds with dogs in tow!!!!!!

I allways have my two tired old retrievers along for the hike!

(I guess it adds more challenge to the "hunt" )