Great Blue Herons
So far all my Great Blue Heron photo opps have been at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in San Antonio NM and there have been many. It’s a great place to photograph these magnificent birds.
Big Fish
Great Blue Heron
Bird's Eye View
Takeout
Fresh Fish
Morning at the Bar
Down by the Acequia
Shake It
Big Fish
Great Blue Heron, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio NM
November 14, 2019
This guy caught a HUGE catfish and it was interesting watching him/her deal with it. I didn't really think it was possible but with some effort the heron managed to swallow it quite handily. It put the fish on the ground and stabbed it repeatedly (the pic above is of the second stab) until it was quite dead. My guess it was making sure the fish was dead so it wouldn't cause damage thrashing around inside the heron. That accomplished it went down quite easily.
Great Blue Heron
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio NM
October 30, 2017
Bird's Eye View
Great Blue Heron, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio NM
October 23, 2017
Shooting from above is usually not a good perspective but every now and then it works in ones favor. I accidentally spooked this Great Blue Heron fishing next to the Boardwalk at the Bosque. The boardwalk runs over a pond and the deck is maybe six to eight feet above the water. That plus another 5 feet to the camera was plenty of height for this situation.
Takeout
Great Blue Heron, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio NM
December 1, 2016
I came upon this heron fishing before sunrise this morning and got some neat shots of it taking off with its catch. Unfortunately in the low light they were not well exposed which I figured gave me license to mess around in Lightroom to see what I might come up with.
Not too shabby...
Fresh Fish
Great Blue Heron, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio NM
October 27, 2014
Too big, had to let it go.
Morning at the Bar
Great Blue Heron, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio NM
October 25, 2013
The water level in the pond at the Boardwalk is a bit low, leaving a sand bar and this stranded tree limb exposed. Hence the title.
Down by the Acequia
Great Blue Heron, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio NM
December 5, 2016
One of the characteristic movements or displays of the Great Blue Heron is this fluffing of the feathers you see here, followed by a vigorous twisting/shaking movement of the head and neck you'd think would scramble the brain.
Shake It
Great Blue Heron, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio NM
December 5, 2016