Friday, June 05, 2015

Lunchtime for Us and the Heron

We were at our usual spot at Riverside Park, doing our usual thing of sitting and munching a light lunch, when something unusual occurred.

As I looked about 50' to my left, I spotted a Great Blue Heron. I don't always have my camera beside me because it seems that all of my pictures from here are the same. But I had it that day, picked it up and started shooting.

She or he was on the constant prowl for sustenance. ↓


S/he must have caught three or more fish while I was shooting.


In my first shots, the heron was still quite far away. My zoom barely reach it, and the exposure wasn't great, so I turned this photo into a highly silhouetted black and white.


While the bird started far to our left, it ended up going past us only about 10' away. S/he was totally unconcerned with the presence of two slow-legged humans nearby. It was a happily serendipitous experience. I'm glad I had my camera and that it had the right lens attached.

12 comments:

ADRIAN said...

It would have made my day watching it having lunch.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I love to watch them fish- they really do focus hard.

Tabor said...

I love watching wildlife and love capturing its actions on camera.

TexWisGirl said...

love these pterodactyls and their fishing abilities. i like that silhouette photo, too!

Blondi Blathers said...

Wow! I see lots of herons, but they NEVER let me get close like that. I'm so jealous!

Linda Kay said...

Such a beautiful heron, John. Did you see the one posted yesterday of the heron eating an eel? Pretty fascinating.

troutbirder said...

At least you got some shots. I'm hardly ever ready...:)

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

When I first read the intro, I wondered if your lunch might soon become the heron's as well, but seems he knew where to catch it fresh.

Unknown said...

A Great Blue Heron! I've seen a couple of less than great herons on the water next to our building. They're more greyish than blue and certainly not as big as the one you saw. Nonetheless, I have been delighted.

Ginnie said...

Love the black and white version, AC. It looks like a chinese tapestry.

EG CameraGirl said...

I dream of being somewhere with my camera when a Great Blue Heron walks by so close!

Pearl said...

lucky timing.