Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Majestic Plumes

A Great Blue Heron
I've never seen one with such majestic "beard like" plumes.

I was so surprised and excited to see one this time of year,
I thought they flew south for winter, apparently not.
 
 I thought this reflection shot was really beautiful.
 
This was an interesting photo shoot.
I had to stand on a ledge and risk falling in the water
to get these images, which are not so great.
 
Son Michael and girl friend Alisa were in the car.
They have never been on a photo shoot with me before...
As I was snapping away, I heard a voice behind me,
"Mom, what are you doing?? get off that ledge"
 
My poor son Michael, scared to death...
all I could think was...paybacks are a bitch
 

38 comments:

♥ Łucja-Maria ♥ said...

Welcome Debbie!
Your photos are fantastic.
I am delighted with them.
The message of greetings.
LUCIA

Adrienne said...

I'm really glad there's no one in the office right now! I am LAUGHING - oh my .... payback!!! And that reflection shot is wonderful! I haven't seen the heron up here this winter, and seem to have temporarily 'lost' the swans too! It's the iPhone shot of you on the ledge that would be the prize winner!

IanH said...

They do fly south. I haven't seen one for 6 months (or open water either)! :-{ Thanks for the great pictures.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

you really should prepare your family ahead of time. next time. ha. ha!! i can see it in my mind. it all happening. nervous wreck i bet. such great shots. what a gorgeous bird. ( :

Anonymous said...

You're a hoot, Debbie, so funny!
I wonder if such a thick plume means he's older? Interesting =)

Karen said...

Looks like he is outfitted for winter! Had to laugh at Michael. you scared him! I am surprised he didn't send you to your room.

Nancy said...

Kids always think we shouldn't be doing things we've done all our lives...I guess it's payback for always trying to get them to not do things we thought were dangerous.. They want to reverse this parent-child thing too soon..hahahahah

Beautiful picture.....beautiful bird..

Muffy's Marks said...

Parents are much harder to raise, than children. I wish your boys luck, they'll need it!!! Love the photos, and it was worth taking a risk getting them. You go girl!!

Farm Girl said...

You make me laugh, My husband and I say this under our breath about your kids too.
I just love that story. Lovely shots too.

Beth said...

The photos are beautiful!

Ruth Hiebert said...

These are gorgeous shots. The plumes are for the mating season. Gotta impress those girls,you know.

Sharon M said...

hahahaha that's one of the funniest posts ever! Paybacks are so worth it sometimes!!

I think those photos are great, and I would have hung upside down from a bridge to get them if I had to.

TexWisGirl said...

oh, your last line cracked me UP!!! laughing out LOUD!!! girlie, you are so cute.

LOVE the bearded one, too.

MICKAN from QUEENS FIELD¸.•°`♥✿⊱╮ said...

Hahaha ... but, you get some lovely pictures!

Ida said...

Wow these are wonderful. Such a gorgeous bird.
You are a braver photographer then I am. No ledge climbing for me.

MarmePurl said...

Love the bird shots.
But as the mother of sons who raced motorcross for years...
that last line has me rolling!

Ellie said...

You get the best pictures of birds Debbie, this one is really good and I love the reflection shot.
You be careful on those ledges now! :)

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Debbie these shots are amazing. It is funny how our children worry about us now when our roles are reversed. I would have done the same thing awesome shots love the reflection one. Hug B

eileeninmd said...

Debbie, I see the GB herons here year round. I guess some do not mind the cold weather and stay. Your photos are awesome, love the reflections. Have a great evening!

Giga said...

Piękne zdjęcia ptaka zrobiłaś. Warte były ryzyka. Pozdrawiam.
Beautiful pictures of the bird did. Were worth the risk. Yours.

Bonnie said...

Debbie, Isn't it funny how our child have taken on the roll of protector? A few weeks ago as my daughter and I began to cross the street, she grabbed my hand. I cracked up and assured her I was quite to the point of needing help across the street. She started laughing. Love the heron....the shots were well worth the risks. Bonnie

Lin said...

Hahaha! No kidding!

I like embarrassing them as well. :P

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Haven't seen one of these great blue herons in quite awhile as we haven't been to Chincoteague Wildlife Refuse since last spring. I don't recall ever seeing one when we lived in NJ in all the times we used to go to Island Beach State Park. I DO remember going to Jenkinson's, however.

Saun said...

Yes it is, great shots . Glad you didn't fall in your son would never let you out of the house again lol

Gillian Olson said...

Great pictures of the GBH.

Bonnie K said...

That is funny!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I don't think I've ever seen such a big beard on a Blue Heron before. He's awesome! I loved the line about payback. LOL! Love it and isn't the truth!

Susan said...

These shots are magnificent Debbie - such beautiful and elegant plumes. Yes, indeed, if it took perching on a ledge to get those shots... I'd be there too, holding your shirt-tail!
Sometimes we're such a worry to our darling long-suffering children eh!! ;D)

Dianna said...

Your last sentence has me laughing!!!!! So true, as only the mothers of sons can attest to....!
Your photos are amazing....love the reflection shot too.
Happy Valentine's Day. I know you and your hubby are doing something special to celebrate your love!

Nancy said...

What a beauty! Would that be considered his beard?

Thanks for participating in the Boost-My-Blog Party Debbie!

Sharon Wagner said...

I'm stopping by from the boost party. What a beautiful header!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

LOL out of scaring your son! You got some great shots.

Thanks for participating in the VDAY blog hop :-)

Tami Von Zalez said...

Wow - look at that blog header, such a gorgeous shade of purple!

Popped in from the Boost My Blog Valentine's hop ~

thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

Nina said...

Hi Debbie, lovely pictures of the herons, and from the aquarium! Visiting from the BMB blog hop, your new follower Nina

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

I love the photos--beautiful! And your payback comment--so funny!

I'm visiting from Boost your blog party--so nice to meet you and join you!

S. Etole said...

Magnificent feathers. Happy Valentine's Day.

LeAnn said...

Oh Debbie those shots were beautiful. I also enjoyed your humor with your son. I am think ing need to visit your area sometime; your pictures amaze me. However, I need to go out and take the time to shoot a few pictures myself. We did get some of some geese who loved to come over on our lawn each day.
Blessing!

Brian King said...

These are great, Debbie! Just goes to show what you can get when you risk life and limb! :-) Typically, when I've seen plumes like this is when they're in the classic hunkered down position or if they're preening or the breeze is blowing. It's funny how you don't really see those feathers when their necks are straight. They lay so flat. We have herons here year round. They normally stay in their range as long as food is available. The reflection in the last photo is fantastic! Glad you didn't get hurt over it! My apologies for not seeing this...I rarely miss your stuff!