Great Blue Heron resting in the mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Today I wanted to share photos of two adult Great Blue Herons resting near an alpine creek high in the Wasatch Mountains. I took these heron photos a week ago while in a mountain canyon at about 6200 feet in elevation. I still find it fascinating to see these large herons at those altitudes.
I have yet to find where the Great Blue Herons nest this high in the mountains even though I have looked for their nests for a couple of years now.
Great Blue Heron enjoying the morning light in the mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I’m actually more than a touch fascinated by the Great Blue Herons I see, observe and photograph in the higher altitudes of the Wasatch Mountains. I often find myself wondering what they eat, where they roost at night, and why they would make the mountains their home when the bountiful marshes in the valleys seem like they would make a heron’s life easier. I also wonder where they head to when winter temperatures get brutally cold and snow starts to fall.
I will probably never know some of the answers I seek but that is okay with me as long as I keep seeing the Great Blue Herons in the high country.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great Blue Heron photos plus facts and information about this species.
P.S., I like both of these photos even though the herons are small in the frame because they show some of the mountain habitat I find these wading birds in.
Beautiful – and over time I hope you are able to answer some of those questions.
Definitely takes a minute for me to wrap my head around seeing a GBH among all the mountain greenery. I wonder how big is the population up there. The first shot is especially stunning as there are so many points of interest. 🙂
Cool. Shots Mia.
Cool shots Mia
Very fun to see these at high elevations. So used to seeing them it wetland settings (yesterday, Waterbury Reservoir). Canoeing and social distancing go very well together. Thanks for sharing!