Little Blue Heron hunting in a lagoon – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light, not baited
I don’t know how much snow fell over night here in the Salt Lake Valley because it is still dark outside and while I am truly not “blue” about it I thought some images from warmer times of a blue bird might be in order for a Monday. These images were taken at Fort De Soto County Park’s north beach on what I felt was a magical day. In fact I did a post about it called “Some Days Are Magic” some time ago.
Little Blue Heron still hunting – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light, not baited
For February; even in Florida, the day was warm and the slight sea breeze was delightful. I was in the company of good friends and there were plenty of birds to photograph including this very cooperative and active Little Blue Heron. It hunted, caught and ate prey and looked gorgeous in the blue waters of the lagoon.
Little Blue Heron after missing prey – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light, not baited
The Little Blue Heron was a terrific subject and I took quite a few images of it, these files have been sitting on my hard drive just waiting to be edited and shared.
It’s hard to be blue on a Monday looking at images of this heron!
Mia
The blue theme works well here-I love the color of the water and the bird!
Thanks Julie!
I have yet to see this species of heron. And I will now always associate The Blues with your thoughts from this post. You’re right … how can you be blue after this?
I can’t be blue after seeing these Little Blue Heron images either Ingrid!
Love to see these in flight, they look prehistoric to me! I think their nesting colonies are called rookeries (rookery).
Sally, I agree they do look prehistoric!
I so want to find this bird at one point:)
You never know when a Little Blue will show up Chris, I hope one does for you soon!
I was hoping to really crush a Little Blue last year, since I spent a fair amount of time in San Diego (the only part of California to regularly have them) and south Florida, but I still haven’t gotten anything of this quality yet. Great stuff!
I have faith that you will get some facemelting shots of Little Blues soon, then I can drool over them! Thanks for commenting
Love these photos made my Monday! Thanks Mia.
Thanks LaNelle!
Lovely series, Mia!
Thank you Charlotte!
A most stunning bird against the calm waters. I really love the plumage color of Little Blue Herons. Exquisite detail and sharpness in these superb photographs, Mia!
Thanks Julie, it was such a great day and the birds were super too
Beautiful blue! I love watching them hunt. So patient!
Thanks wally, they are really patient birds.
Beautiful, Mia! I like seeing the bird in the deeper, calm water – a neat change from shoreline wading.
Thank you Tami!
Brings back memories of a warmer time too! I love these shots and the little bit of tail feather in the water. Have fun in the snow, we got some night before last and had a wonderful day hiking in it yesterday! Oh and got my second golden eagle shot and YAY it wasn’t eating dead crap either! 🙂
Yay Sherry on the Golden Eagle!! I can handle the snow, I love it but these gray cloudy or foggy days are wearing on me.
I have a real soft spot for little blue herons. There is a pair in San Diego that have lived in the same area (and/or their offspring) on the SD river for years, so almost every time I go back there and visit (or when I lived there, when I’d bike on over) I’d get to see those lovely smoky blue & purple creatures. So small and beautiful and distinctive. Once I even got to see the parents their white little offspring.
Amazing shots. =) Love the water ripples reflected onto the bird’s body. What a treat!
Little Blues are wonderful and I love seeing their white chicks too biobabbler! Thanks much for commenting.
You had me going there with the title “monday blues”. Beautiful shots Mia.
Thank you Bob!
Great captures Mia!
Thank you Steve.
Spectacular, Mia! I loved #1 best until I saw #3! 🙂
Thanks Beverly!