I drove up to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge early yesterday morning where the first bird I photographed was a Great Blue Heron standing on driftwood.
Morning Great Blue Heron standing on driftwood – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Great Blue Heron was on the wrong side of my Jeep but I still rolled down the passenger side window. Then I stretched my body across the console, rested my lens on the edge of the window, and photographed the heron from there.
I knew I only had a few seconds to photographed the heron because I could see a pickup moving up the road behind me so I made those few moments count. The light was gorgeous, the heron stately, and the piece of driftwood interesting.
That piece of driftwood may have at one point been a tree growing high in the Uinta Mountains of Utah where the Bear River starts to flow. It also could have grown in Wyoming or Idaho because the Bear River flows through those states too. Wherever it grew that piece of driftwood has been lodged in this spot at the refuge for quite a few years. I’ve photographed other birds on that fine, old piece of wood.
Great Blue Herons are year round residents of the marsh and wetlands on the refuge. These large wading birds survive and thrive in the very harsh conditions of winter in northern Utah. This species always fascinates me because they look and sound like prehistoric creatures in a modern day world.
For a few second I was glad to be able to focus on this handsome heron on the driftwood with my eyes and through my viewfinder.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great Blue Heron photos plus facts and information about this species.
What I find really interesting about this pic is how well the GBH’s rough feathers blend in with the reeds on the river bank. That you could spot this big boy amidst all that foliage is another testament to your incredible peepers. Wonderful shot Mia. Thanks.
Very nice! How would the log get past the many dams along the river? I do wish the maintenance crews would not pull them out along the refuge. I think the birds like them.
Wonderful. Again.
Starting the day with a GBH in the morning light? Yes, please! Thank you for the extra effort and contortions you put in to get this marvelous shot. 💜
Wonderful composition with perfect light and texture. You have elevated this to the realm of “art”.
Nice shot, love Bear River. Thanks for sharing.