Today I am sharing seven Great Blue Heron in flight photos from the marsh at Bear River MBR that I took three days ago. I spotted the heron in a marshy area on the last leg of the auto tour route and pointed it out.
Adult Great Blue Heron flying low over the marsh at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
These photos are the seven that I liked the most from the forty-nine images I took of the heron as it flew past me on the south side of the auto tour route at the refuge.
Great Blue Heron on the wing in Utah – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The background behind the heron may look like sky but it is actually the distant Promontory Mountain range.
Flying adult Great Blue Heron – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
What I liked most about these Great Blue Heron in flight photos is the great views I had of the top side , or dorsal side, of the heron’s wings, the colors of the heron’s plumage, and that I was able to maintain eye contact with the heron throughout the entire series of photos that I took of it.
Spring Great Blue Heron – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Even though it was nearly 10 a.m. in the morning the light was nice when I took these photos because a high, thin layer of clouds diffused the sunlight.
High thin clouds over Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge on an April morning – Nikon D810, f10, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 18mm, natural light
Without the clouds diffusing the sunlight my Great Blue Heron images may have looked more contrasty so I am grateful that those clouds were there. Some people grumble about clouds but there are times this bird photographer welcomes them. Then again, there are some people who aren’t happy if they aren’t grumbling. I am definitely not that type of person.
Adult Great Blue Heron flying by on a spring morning – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As the heron continued its flight it turned ever so slightly towards me over the marsh next to the road.
Great Blue Heron with wings fully spread in flight – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
And the large heron banked a tiny bit which gave me a great view of the dorsal aspect of the heron’s fully spread wings.
Great Blue Heron in flight on a bright spring morning – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Then the heron turned even more and it seemed like it was going to come even closer to me than it already was. Just two frames later I lost focus on the heron because it was too close to me.
I enjoyed taking this series of the Great Blue Heron flying past me at the refuge and the rest of the birds that I photographed that morning.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great Blue Heron photos plus facts and information about this species.
Oh Wow Mia! Those are beautiful photos of the Blue Heron you are sharing. Not sure if you will see this post at this late date or not. My email account server changed on April 20, and about that time I had my laptop go on the blink. Just now back up and running.
Wow – excellent photos and a great series. You are right, the light was perfect – you even captured that “blue haze” on the wings that gives this bird his name. Wonderful!
These are just stunning, great job!
What an amazing series of shots! I can almost feel the Heron moving through the air. Thanks Mia.
Beautiful series of photos, Mia!
Thanks for sharing!
Yet another wonderful series. Thank you.
Wonderful flight sequence which really displays the beautiful plumage.
I love two things about the series; one the total focus is sharp from tip to tip and the various poses you captured. two is that you are still enjoying getting out there with nature and sharing that joy with us.
Wonderful photos!
Terrific series of a beautiful bird. I am glad you were there to see and photograph those special moments.