Earlier this week, I visited Bear River MBR and had a fantastic time capturing photographs of birds sliding on the ice. This included an adult Great Blue Heron. Yesterday I wrote about a Common Goldeneye being chased on slippery ice by a Common Merganser and a heron. Today, the heron is the star of the ice capades.
Great Blue Heron coming in for an icy landing – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
That morning I saw a Great Blue Heron flying into an area where there were small patches of open water. I focused on it as it was landing. The light was great, my shutter speed was good, and I was hoping for some action. I thought the heron might catch a fish.
Great Blue Heron landing on ice while sliding – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This image of the heron shows where it had just slid right off of the thicker ice shelf almost immediately after its feet touched the ice. I am not sure this is where the large wading bird intended to be when it landed. It may have been several feet off its mark.
Great Blue Heron stabilizing after an icy landing – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Once the heron had finished fluttering its wings it seemed to take a few seconds to assess the icy situation.
Great Blue Heron walking carefully on ice – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The nearby diving ducks were busy hunting for fish, and the heron started to carefully move towards them. Lifting one foot and moving it slowly forward, the heron inched its way closer to the ducks.
Adult Great Blue slipping on ice – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After just a few steps forward, the heron began to have difficulties staying upright on the slippery ice. The heron started using its wings to maintain its balance.
Yes, I started laughing. I laughed at the ducks slipping and sliding across the ice. I didn’t want this heron to feel left out by not hearing my laughter ringing out over the frozen wetlands. The truth is that I couldn’t have stopped my laughter if I tried.
Great Blue Heron regaining its balance on ice – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As the Great Blue Heron tried to move forward, I tried to muffle my laughter. I managed to keep my focus sharply on the heron somehow.
Adult Great Blue Heron sliding on ice – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The heron’s movements were painstakingly slow on the ice. That gave me time to take quite a few photos of it while it used its wings to maintain its balance.
Great Blue Heron trying not to slip on ice – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
For a brief period the heron seemed to have figured out how to move forward on the slick, icy surface without falling down.
Great Blue Heron jumping across open water into ice – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
But then the heron jumped across the small channel of open water to the ice on the other side. I fired a burst of shots in anticipation of what I expected to happen next..
Great Blue Heron sliding on slippery ice – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As the Great Blue Heron started sliding on the slippery ice again. I really did think it was going to land on its feathered bottom after jumping over the open water.
Having the tops of the ducks’ heads at the bottom of these frames probably isn’t ideal. They were there though, and for me the action of the heron was my focus. I didn’t have time to ask the ducks to… duck. Not that they would have listened anyway.
Great Blue Heron attempting to regain its balance again – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Great Blue Heron used its wings again to help it regain its balance. That seems to be a good strategy because it never did fall onto its fluffy butt.
Great Blue Heron walking gingerly on ice – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I didn’t really need to add yet another photo to this post but I felt as if I needed to share one photo after the heron regained its footing and looked as regal as a heron can on ice.
I almost wish I had been shooting video instead of still photos. Still photos are great, but the videos would have shown the action better.
As for my title choice? I bet a few people have an earworm now. If you don’t have a listen to this recording. Paul Simon might think my title choice including the words “Slip Slidin’ Away” is for the birds. He’d be absolutely correct.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great Blue Heron photos plus facts and information about this species.
That Heron has brought ice dancing up to a whole new level. Great pics Mia. Thanks.
Great wing shots of a GBH who is usually a sleek and stately bird
Wonderful images Mia and it is good to know that it is not only humans that can slip on ice.
How Awkward for the Heron! Luckily it made a good save! Slip Sliding Away is right! Wonderful captures Mia!
How beautiful this bird is!
You gave me something to think about… I’ve never thought of the problem the ice is for the birds. Great shooting! Certainly a different take on Great Blue Herons.
He was lucky and did not fall on the ice Those wings give them good balance. It would be nice to have big wings to help us out some times on the ice! Wonder if he ever got a fish to eat?
Great, great, great set of shots. Love the action and I can almost feel your laughter. Wish I had been there!
Wonderful variety of action shots which also expose plumage details between giggles. Also enjoyed the Paul Simon reference and link.
Clever writing and great photos.