Monday, October 10, 2011

Blue Heron

On October 1, 2011 on our way home from Pier Village, after viewing the Migrating Monarchs, we decided to take the scenic, back roads home!! 

As we drove through Asbury Park we spotted...


this Blue Heron, who loved to pose!!


I was walking and clicking fully confident that each shot would be my last.
As I got closer and closer, I was certain he would just fly off,
but he didn't.
I was shocked at just how close he let me get!!


I took 56 pictures and was about 10 feet away from him here.


He finally started moving, you gotta love those feet...


ruffled his feathers...


and took off!!


He was so pretty in flight...
for me, this was truly a magical moment!!

I have been saving this entry so I could share it with  



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33 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Great series of photos on the Great Blue heron. The closeups are awesome.

Adrienne said...

These are really special photos - I love the first one...almost a silhouette, with that beautiful, gray water behind him. Then the watchful eye - letting you approach! You can tell he's watching you! And then flying away - and we're back to almost silhouette! LOVE IT!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

What beautiful photos you take sweetie, I'm in awe of your talent!

I just wanted to thank you for your visit and let ya know how very much I appreciated your comment.

Please drop in often, the door of the Ponderosa is always open.

God bless ya and have a fabulous week sweetie!!! :o)

TexWisGirl said...

beautiful! lovely job!

Jill said...

Outstanding job! I really love the one where he is taking off. I love to see the detail of the feathers!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Hey sweetie, I just wanted to thank ya for hoppin' on my blog. I sure hope ya'll enjoy the ride.

God bless and in the words of that silly old Granny Clampett, "ya'll come back now...ya hear???"

Have a great day! :o)

Karen said...

You've done it again...fantabulous captures!

barbara l. hale said...

Extraordinary series of shots! I really love the texture of the feathers in the photo where he took off. Wonderful!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Great work with your camera! I have a heron that hangs around our pond most of the summer. I've taken a few photos with the zoom, but I never seem to get the right light for a very clear shot. He wouldn't allow me to get very close. You got some terrific closeups!

Bev said...

WOW... love them all it was so neat you got him flying away!!

Unknown said...

Wow, those shots are incredible! I need to move down the shore pronto. Thanks for sharing.

Ellie said...

Great pictures Debbie, look at that wingspan. Lovely bird.

Kim, USA said...

It's very pretty and your photo is clear and beautiful!

Market Colors

Leenie said...

Outstanding! What a great opportunity to have such a magnificent bird pose and fluff and fly just for you. I'm so glad you had your camera ready and took the time to share.

Tammy said...

Aren't they wonderful?! These are all great, but that third shot is perfection! I'm so glad you saved him for us :)
I love your blow by blow. It sounds so familiar. I always start shooting the minute I spot something wonderful, then shoot more as I get closer. Like you, I always think I'm taking my last shot, and sometimes I am, but isn't it great when they stick around and let you get close?!

grammie g said...

Hi Debbie...I chuckled when I saw your post I have the blue heron on my post to. ; } Great minds and all that!! lol

You had a great opportunity to get close to him and yes it is amazing he didn't fly off ..congrat's!!
Aren't they great !!
I love the ruffled feathered one : }

Grace

DeniseinVA said...

How exciting! I haven't been able to get real close to a Great Blue Heron. You have captured him beautifully Debbie.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Wow! I can hardly believe this.You are so lucky to have had this experience,and now have these special pictures.

Rose said...

These are fantastic!

forgetmenot said...

What great shots of the Blue Heron--such a stately looking bird. Nice work. Mickie :)

Modesto Viegas said...

Well done, good series!

Unknown said...

Good close ups!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Esther Garvi said...

What a gorgeous series! Lovely bird!!

theconstantwalker said...

Lovely close up images of a beautiful bird.. I love the flight captures.

Dave said...

very unusual to get so close to any Heron species..... you took your opportunity very well

Lovely shots
Dave

mick said...

Great photos of the Heron and it let you get very close. That's one reason why I love digital cameras - you can shoot as many pics as you want to and it doesn't cost a roll of film!

Springman said...

Ten feet away?! Incomprehensible! Thanks for sharing this profound moment. Awesome post!

Stewart M said...

Hi there – it’s great when something like that happens - you just keep sneaking closer and closer!

Great set of pictures.

Stewart M - Australia

joo said...

They love posing, don't they? They simply know how beautiful they are:)
Lovely post!
Hugs:)
j.

Pat said...

Fantastic series of photos, with a perfect ending shot!

jeanlivingsimple said...

Whoa...great shots Debbie! I really like the "take-off".

Arija said...

A wonderful experience indeed! Who needs a hair-raising leap over a cliff when we can get all our thrills by nailing a bird. Great shots!

Judy said...

Wow!! No other words can even come close. Just Wow!!