I suppose some might view great blue herons as ‘common’ subjects; they have adapted well to many areas around us despite continued development. One of the most famous heron rookeries in the country, in Venice, Florida, is pretty close to a busy town intersection. We are fortunate to have a couple of heron rookeries here in southeast Michigan that offer good opportunities for photography. But after you have photographed them at the nest, in a pond, in flight, or courting. You start looking for something to make the image unique.
Such an instance happened with this particular image that was exposed yesterday. This cluster of tamarack pines has always been a great source of nesting material for both the herons and occasional egret that inhabit the rookery. But it is rare that the bird lands in an area that puts them in clear view. More often they are behind many layers of branches. In addition, it is quite far away, requiring quite a fit of focal length to get a modest subject size. (This was made with the equivalent of 1700 mm.) I think it provides a great backdrop, interesting texture and a great setting for a habitat type shot. In fact, like Venice shots have become so recognizeable because of the red berries, perhaps this is the only rookery with a tamarack pine forest closeby. So this will go into my great blue heron collection as one of my favorites. I am thinking it will make for a great print as well.
I agree , quite a picture you have here . The heron with the golden backdrop creates such a beautifully dramatic effect,
I tried photographing birds but my shots are nowhere as good as this one , very very nice.
Thank you all for the comments. I am growing more fond of this image the more I look at it myself. Funny thing was I was standing next to another photographer who must have wondered what the heck I was shooting so far away! 🙂
Very nice Mark. I don’t know why, but to me it looks like a Japanese painting. Very nice, indeed.
Paul
What a photo op you did catch here! This will make a fabulous print.
Your commentary today was bang on. I need to learn to wait for a creature to be in a different environment before I take it’s picture. Otherwise, my photos all look the same as everyone else’s.
I tried taking some photos of blue herons in their nest up in a tree last week, but there was too many leaves, so I couldn’t get a clear shot.
Your photo is lovely. The surroundings are perfect.