It has not been too long since I had a post about Great Blue Herons. This bird is worth featuring again, especially when all photos here were captured just a couple of hours ago outside my backyard.
It all started when we returned from lunch with a friend. As I looked out the dining room window, I saw a Cooper’s Hawk flying by and hiding in the trees. I grabbed my camera and went outside to pursue the hawk. As I got outside, I noticed this Great Blue Heron foraging for lunch. I could not pass up the opportunity to observe this bird again. As soon as it detected my presence, it flew away. Since my camera settings had the proper shutter speed set, it was not difficult to capture a handful of shots of the heron in flight. According to the AllAboutBirds site, these herons are the largest North American herons. They have a wingspan of 65.8-79.1 in (167-201 cm). That’s over 5.5-6.5 feet or 1.67-2.01 meters!
They measure 38.2-53.9 in (97-137 cm) in length and weigh only 74.1-88.2 oz (2100-2500 g). As seen in this photo, they are not a bulky bird.
A couple of interesting facts about this heron is that when it flies, its neck is folded back in an S-curve rather than extended forward like most large birds. The neck extends mostly right before it lunges forward to catch food. Another fact is that they are good indicators of a healthy environment.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you might also be interested in others featuring Bird of the Week, Great Blue Heron, Teravista, Texas, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Posted for Birds of the Week Invitation CXX.
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nesfelicio
Beautiful shots, Egidio!
You captured the colors of this beautiful bird very well.
Such a treat to see them just outside your backyard. Thanks for sharing!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Nes.
Rebecca Cuningham
What a wonderful treat to see herons close to your home! They are wonderful shots of these great birds.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Rebecca.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, the Great Blue Heron is one of my favorite birds. You have captured this one beautifully. I occasionally see them feeding in the marsh behind my house and around our neighborhood but they never let me get close enough to get images like these!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Beth. I was approaching this heron very cautiously because I did not want to spook it.
Alison
How beautiful Egidio, what a lovely capture
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Alison. Patience paid off while waiting for the right moment I wanted.
Steve Schwartzman
My recent trip to the Everglades has primed me to see an alligator in the water lined up in the same direction as the heron.
Egidio Leitao
That would be awesome, Steve. In Port Aransas, I got to see something similar, except the alligator was in the water and the birds on a perch about 3 feet above the water.
Vicki
They’re a beautiful bird and…….LARGE.
Great shot.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Vicki.
Terri Webster Schrandt
What a magnificent bird, Egidio! He’s a beauty!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Terri.
shoreacres
That’s a wonderful image of its wingspan.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Linda.
Anne Sandler
Great information and images about the great blue heron. They are a magnificent bird.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Anne. They are truly gorgeous herons.