Last week I had one great trip to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and one trip that wasn’t so great. This photo is from the one that wasn’t comfortable at all. I still shiver when I think about that second trip up to the refuge.
Immature Great Blue Heron flying in front of snow covered mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/5000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I liked this image of an immature Great Blue Heron flying in front of the snow covered Promontory Mountains even though the heron is small in the frame. The refuge covers a large area of the valley and having the heron small in the frame is a visual reminder of that for me. When I visit the refuge I feel small in the grand scope of nature. That isn’t a bad thing, it just is.
It was nice to see snow on the Promontory Mountains. There hasn’t been much of that fluffy white stuff fall this winter.
Seconds after I took this photo a small flock of Green-winged Teals flew along with the immature heron for a short distance.
The adult Great Blue Herons at the refuge are sporting their breeding plumage already. The herons that hatched last year will have to wait a while to look like them.
Since there are very few trees out on the marshes at the refuge I suspect that the Great Blue Herons at Bear River MBR nest on the ground. The herons at Farmington Bay WMA to the south of the refuge are incubating eggs and I suspect that they are incubating at the refuge too. Great Blue Herons nest early here in northern Utah.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great Blue Heron photos plus facts and information about this species.
Nice flight picture of the GBH. Spring is on the way some where!
GBHs are such remarkable birds! Glad you got some snow.