Immature Great Blue Heron in a Christmas Snow Storm – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
It was snowing at Farmington Bay WMA on Christmas day so the light was low, visibility was poor and birds were difficult for me to spot at any distance. When I first saw a shape on the shoreline I couldn’t make out what it was, I couldn’t even determine if the dark shape was a bird or a creature but as we got closer I saw that it was a Great Blue Heron hunched over to fend off the cold.
As I focused on the Great Blue Heron I could tell it was an immature bird braving its first winter alone in the marshes of Farmington Bay. I knew this was a young Great Blue because the rusty colored shoulder patches would be more pronounced on a mature Great Blue Heron and there wouldn’t be small buffy spots on the wing coverts on a mature bird either.
Watching this heron made me think of how our birds and animals struggle to get through the harshness of winter and much like the first year Red-tailed Hawk I also photographed on Christmas Day, I hope this young Great Blue Heron makes it through to the warmer days of spring.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great Blue Heron photos plus facts and information about this species.
HI honey! Poor bird looks so cold! Great shot ! It is cold here in Va. sun is shinnying , But wind is really cold! Sure wish you’s would have a clear night so you could see the Comet cross the moon tonight near midnight??? Love ya’s Happy New Year 2017
I hope so too…
Echoing your hopes for this bird.
Lonely and bleak image reminds us what a struggle it is for wildlife to survive the winter.
Life on the edge!
It is probably regretting missing the boat south at that point.
This poor bird looks desolate…i don’t know how they even survive in winter wihen the waters they fish in are frozen…it is such a struggle for so many creatures…I fear for the future even more….
I am glad that you described the rust patches because sometimes I see those and sometimes I don’t .Now I know why.Looks kind of lonely out there all alone.but I always see them alone in the summer, too.
Beautiful winter image, Mia.