Images – Herons

I like taking pictures of nature scenes and wildlife, so I always try to have a camera with me and ready to shoot. You never know what you might see around the next corner. Of course, I have a big, bulky camera bag that holds my fancy camera and all my lenses, but sometimes when it’s more convenient I carry a little 10 megapixel Panasonic that takes great pictures and can be carried in a jacket pocket or the console of my truck.

Since I live near a large lake, I often see migrating birds passing through Central Texas. Occasionally I have spotted a large water bird like the great blue heron on the edge of huge Lake Travis. My residential neighborhood is a couple of miles from the lake, so I was shocked one day to see a great blue heron standing at the edge of a little decorative pond at my subdivision entrance.
On this occasion, I didn’t have a camera with me! But I was only two blocks from my house, so I retrieved my Canon t3i and zoom lens, and was happy to see that the bird waited for me.

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I don’t know if he was looking for something to eat, or just hanging out and enjoying the beautiful spring weather.

There is an iron fence at the edge of the pond, so I quietly approached and braced my arms on the fence to steady the camera. I started taking pictures as fast as I could press the button. At first the bird didn’t seem to notice me, but then he turned his head and looked straight at me. I had been spotted.

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The heron looked right at me but didn’t seem alarmed.

The bird wasn’t happy to see me apparently, because he slowly turned and, with deliberate steps, started walking away. I felt bad for disturbing him but not bad enough to stop taking pictures. I stayed motionless except for my trigger finger, and the bird never flew away.

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With long, graceful steps, the great blue heron moved away from the camera.

Not wanting to ruin this bird’s day, I stopped taking pictures and backed away toward my truck. He must be somewhat used to being around people, because he never panicked or tried to fly. I made him nervous for sure, but I don’t think I scared him.

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Having had enough of my company, the great blue heron walked to the other side of the pond but didn’t leave the vicinity.

Having gotten the pictures I wanted, I slowly got in my truck and drove off, leaving the bird still browsing around our little pond. This guy made my day!

Do you have something to share? Send me a photo or image that you like (as long as you are the owner) and let’s share it with our Texas Service Life friends!

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