I might have been right. Yesterday afternoon, I encountered three herons in close proximity on a newly exposed beach. I didn’t realize they were there. I spooked the first one, which flew away, before I saw the other two. A second flew away soon after leaving just one.
This heron wandered along the shore while keeping a close eye on me. 
Unfortunately, it also felt a need to leave and flew across the lake just above the water.It’s not unusual for herons to give an alarm call as they fly away. Interestingly, none of these did; they flew off silently.
Click on an image to view a larger image
5 comments:
Herons seem to flush so easily, I don't get it. Egrets don't seem to. As often as I see Great Blues, i only have a couple pictures of them. Glad you saw and were able to get some pics of these guys!
I take total responsibility for flushing these. I wasn't even expecting/looking for them. It was early afternoon but this beach was mainly shaded. I was probably less than 100m from them and the first one I flushed must have been quite close. It was then I saw the next two. One flew almost immediately and this one hung on just a little longer.
I also got the impression that these were younger birds than the one I usually see. They were almost 'flocking' which is also very unusual.
It was an interesting encounter.
Nice photo of the heron flying off - those big slow wings. I never tire of watching them.
I find Great Blue Herons fairly calm if you are able to come up on them slowly. It is the Green Herons that I find difficult to spot and therefore cause them to flush by my intrusion. I like the shots you got of the bolder bird.
I have a lot of luck - probably more than I deserve - when I'm rowing. I can spot them and drift toward them very slowly on the current or wind. Same thing with Green herons.
I think my problem on land is that they blend into the background on this beach and I don't see them on time. Spooked another couple this morning even though I was looking for them. Will have to keep practicing.
Post a Comment