Cloudy and stormy weather has kept me from being in the field, so I thought I’d share this Great Blue Heron I had in my viewfinder last month at Miner’s Cove.
Great Blue Heron foraging in Miner’s Cove – Canon R7, beanbag, f8, 1/800, ISO 800, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light
Miner’s Cove is one of the spots where I see lots of birds at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. This Great Blue Heron had flown in while I was using my Jeep as a mobile blind at the side of the road.
Great Blue Herons always look prehistoric to me. This heron was watching a school of small fish swirling around in the water at the end of the submerged log it stood on.
Resting Great Blue Heron at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Canon R7, beanbag, f8, 1/1250, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light
The blue lores I typically see when this species is in breeding plumage had faded, an indication that the heron was going out of breeding plumage.
I know these Great Blue Herons nest at the refuge, though I haven’t been able to find their nesting rookery yet. It may be on the other side of the Arkansas River and the refuge. I haven’t been over there to check it out.
Great Blue Heron in repose at Miner’s Cove – Canon R7, beanbag, f10, 1/640, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light
Great Blue Herons are wading birds that I see more than the other wading birds that are found at the refuge. At times they can be quite skittish.
Thankfully, this heron was cooperative and stayed at Miners Cove long enough for me to take a nice series of photos.
Adult Great Blue Heron lifting off from Miner’s Cove – Canon R7, beanbag, f9, 1/800, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 472mm, natural light
When the Great Blue Heron was ready to lift off, I wish I had zoomed back a bit more. After this photo was taken and the heron was in the air, I clipped the wings of the heron in every image I took.
Still, having this Great Blue Heron in my viewfinder was a delight.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great Blue Heron photos plus facts and information about this species.
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