Weekend Birding: Great Blue Heron
Last month I was working in my yard when I saw a large bird fly overhead. It was a Great Blue Heron, a large bluish gray bird with an S-shaped neck, long legs and shaggy feathers on their neck and back.
There is a heron rookery along the river near my house. I am amazed how they build their nests in colonies high in the trees. I counted over 20 nests. I watched one of them fly into the nest in the center of the photo. (Click photo for a larger view.) With my binoculars I could see 3 chicks.
Several of the birds were fishing in the river. I watched one catch and swallow a fish; swallowed it whole. Although they eat primarily fish, they will also eat small rodents.
This bird was just roosting on a branch and taking in some sun. I like this shot because it shows off his neck feathers.
I couldn’t get any closer to them because the entrance to the woods on the other side of the river was closed for construction for a few weeks. I’ll be going back soon to hopefully get some photos of the chicks when they leave the nest.
I link up my bird photos on Saturday Snapshot hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
Under My Apple Tree 
Fabulous shots! You must live in a beautiful place…thanks for sharing.
Here’s MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT
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I can’t believe how beautiful your bird photos are. Like something on the Discovery Channel. Leslie, you have such a gift and I’m glad you share it with us!
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Fantastic capture of the fish in the heron’s mouth. Love it!
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These are wonderful! I’ve seen the herons before but never their nests.
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You can almost HEAR the atmosphere in these photos. Wonderful!
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Wow, that bottom photo looks like a painting. We had a hawk perch on our deck last year – I wish you’d been here to take a photo for us.
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These are fabulous. I’d be curious as to what type of camera/lens you use? I am in the market for a new camera.
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The camera is a Canon Rebel XSi and the lens is a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS.
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That is really awesome – I had no idea they bult their nests so close together….. very cool!
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I love watching Blue Herons! I grew up near the coast and there were often herons in the creek behind our house. Beautiful photos!
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Hi!
They are beautiful! Have a great day!
Sherrie
Just Books
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Beautiful pictures! We have herons near where I live, at least I see them at the lake side regularly. I think they are such beautiful birds. I’ve never noticed their nests.
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great shots Leslie! I’ve never seen a heron’s nest in real life.
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More gorgeous photos, Leslie! Your yard must be spectacular to host such incredible birds.
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Those are great shots of some beautiful birds. I really love watching herons. I saw one flying overhead today, but not close up unfortunately.
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Amazing shots! Especially love the one with the fish in it’s beak.
Here’s My Saturday Snapshot
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those are great pictures! Are there six birds in that first one? Amazing!
Here’s mine: http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2011/05/saturday-snapshot-may-21.html
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I see six or seven. It’s kind of like Where’s Waldo counting them all.
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Astonishing! Can’t wait to see your shots of the chicks.
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Thanks for the lovely comments everyone.
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What beautiful photos…nature is so wonderful.
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Wow, these photos are wonderful! =)
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