A quick post about a Great Blue Heron hunting for breakfast in Azolla at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in June in Oklahoma.
Great Blue Heron at Sequoyah NWR – Canon R7, f5.6, 1/500, ISO 200, Canon RF 100-500mm at 270mm, natural light
Regulars readers may remember my recent post about a Great Egret and Azolla at the refuge. This heron image was taken the same morning, but a few minutes earlier than the egret photo. For more information on the water fern, Azolla, please refer to that post.
On that morning, I had beautiful sunshine which made the Azolla seem to glow bright red. The heron stood out well against the Azolla. As I recall, I was sitting in the front passenger seat of Steve Creek‘s pickup. We were using his pickup as a mobile blind.
It was only my second day using Steve’s Canon gear and my first trip to the refuge. I was mesmerized by the birds, animals, and scenery that I saw there. The bottomland hardwood forests, sloughs, fields, and the Arkansas River provided me with a welcome respite after my exhausting trip to Virginia.
I observed Great Blue Herons in both Oklahoma and Arkansas during my visit with Steve. The Great Blue Heron I spotted in Arkansas was just a short distance from Steve’s home. I spotted it when we went to the Arkansas River to look for driftwood.
I had also encountered Great Blue Herons in Virginia, both around my mom’s apartment and while driving the local roads. I saw them at my niece Kristal’s home in Virginia too. Additionally, I saw them in Texas while visiting my son, William. Seeing these herons on my long journey always brought me joy.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great Blue Heron photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of the photos I took at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.