Stalking a heron

[Celebration]

Great blue herons are a pretty common bird, but they are still magnificent, and mostly shy, so they can be a bit of a challenge to photograph. And, while they have been in Shelby Farms (our 4500 acre urban park) forever, never before have they been at the very accessible Patriot Lake,

Patriot Lake has an asphalt path around the perimeter, two miles long. It has paddle boats. It has two parking lots, a dempster dumpster, and a ranger station, and now at least one nest of herons on one of its four main islands. The islands are not accessible except by boat, but sometimes the herons do fly off them to the "mainland".

You can see a lot of the aforementioned "features" of Patriot Lake in this picture, but I also spotted that flying heron, which I begin chasing.



I already know where it is going. This is a favorite spot, where the water flows into another lake.



Too far for a good picture. Will it stay there long enough for me to get close?



This is a little better, but I want to position myself so the darn chain link fence isn't in the background.



Okay, this is somewhat better



Oops, this always happens. Scared away. But I actually like this shot, though the light isn't great. But this is looking DOWN at a flying heron. See, I was on a little ridge, and the bird was close to the water. Anyway, that's a first for me, so despite all the misfires shown here, I consider the trip a semi-success.



I try to get another flying shot, and I managed to get the bison in focus. :rofl:



Landed at the far side of the small lake. Chase over. Weather in the 30s and a 15 mph northerly wind.

[GentryDixon]

1. This looks like the rest area

outside Evanston, WY. The Bison are right next door to the rest area. But then again, there may be bodies of water nearby, but certainly not lakes!

Nice pictures.



Taken in by backyard.



Taken at rest area. Exit 6 Evanston, WY.

[Celebration]

3. Ha!

Love these. Now try to get a flying heron and bison together in the same picture, with the focus on the flying heron instead of the bison. It's a bit like rubbing your head at the same time that you pat your stomach!!

Our bison are really spoiled now that a new conservancy took over the park. They actually have troughs of food and water for them. I can't chase the bison since they are behind a fence. I can only chase the herons.

I'm pretty far from Wyoming, but I sure felt like I was in the windy plains today. Brrrr.

[GentryDixon]

4. I must admit the Great Blues are hard to capture.

I see them flying overhead often, but by the time I get my camera out, they are long gone.

I am fascinated by this bird for some reason.

Good work.

[CC]

11. Difficult birds to

catch. You did a great job getting these. Love the one with the bison even if it is them in focus and not the heron. What a combination.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

2. herons are evil

bastards

[Celebration]

5. Well, at least

They don't poop on the asphalt path, like the geese!

[hunter]

6. I once tried to photograph one in a group of cows.

No matter where I went the guy always managed to keep a cow between himself and my camera. I'm absolutely certain he was just messing with me and enjoying it.

[Celebration]

7. Yes, I definitely believe that!! n/t

[JeffR]

8. Excellent stuff.

And the photo looking down at the heron is really great!

[Mira]

9. I love it when you do that, let me come along and watch.

I am very much enjoying your adventure.
It's just wonderful that you live close to such a paradise.

[Tindalos]

10. Love the flying heron

It's so hard to catch birds in flight. The fourth one is really good too. You could easily crop out the fence and nobody would even know it was there.



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