Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Great Blue Heron/Wild Bird

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), Beaverton on Lake Simcoe

There's still a lot of ice on Lake Simcoe but there are spots of open water. This heron has wasted no time returning to this lake so famous for great fishing.

Wind blown but concentrating on finding something tasty

The heron struck with such lightning speed that I missed it!

Swallowing something yummy

But here you can see it swallowing it's prey. Hmmm. Here it doesn't look quite as statuesque as it did in the first photo, but as soon as it finished swallowing, it returned to it's demure demeanor and then flew away.

I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

52 comments:

Antjas said...

These creatures are so magnificent, almost prehistoric with their long necks. You didn't get the shot this time, but I'm sure the memory of the capture is still vivid in your mind.

Minoru Saito said...

Hi! Beautiful captures! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.

Minoru Saito said...

BTW, I stayed Markham 7 days a few years ago. Is Markham very near to your house?

Darla said...

Finally, a picture of a bird I have actually seen. Beautiful isn't he? Great shots.

Darla

Nicki said...

Very neat series of photos - and honestly, none of us (even movie stars) look our coolest while in normal pursuit of daily living.

Jeanne said...

Gorgeous shots of this beautiful blue heron!

Anonymous said...

I've always thought of herons as being tropical, but now I've learned something new! Thanks for sharing!

MadSnapper said...

i am assuming they have to crouch to make a whole fish go down without chewing it. i love to watch them fish.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Fascinates me the way they do this EG, wonder if they even taste it as it goes down.

Jackie McGuinness said...

Gorgeous! I think I like his slightly disheveled look!

Anonymous said...

Great Blues are such elegant birds and you captured their beauty perfectly Camera Girl. ~:)

Cezar and Léia said...

I love herons, gorgeous birds and you got amazing portraits!Impressive snow at the lake, I'm glad this heron could find something to eat!It's great!
Cute critters!
Léia

Faye said...

That first photo is so well-composed and the heron's "bad hair" makes me smile.

♥ Łucja-Maria ♥ said...

A beautiful heron.
It will be cold in the feet, the water freezing.
I send greetings.
Lucia

Reena said...

They are a delight to watch and hunt their meals.

Judy said...

He looks quite happy even though it still looks pretty cold.

Karen said...

Great shots, Love the second one against the snow.

TexWisGirl said...

love these guys and gals! wow, that must be cold!

Gail Dixon said...

Missing the action happens to me a lot! Don't you hate that? He sure is a pretty thing. How he stands in all that ice without losing his limbs is beyond me!

Stephanie said...

Love these birds,beautifully shot.

Janie said...

You did capture him looking unusually awkward as he swallows. I'm glad he found a meal!
I'm much more familiar with his usual stately appearance.

RedPat said...

He's a hardy guy - snow is no problem!

LONDONLULU said...

You caught it looking both majestic and hey-I'm-eating-here:) And all look amazing!

Elisa N Viajes said...

Oh! Such an elegant bird!

Lowell said...

They are fast! I just can't imagine that some of these critters stay way up north during the winter. Or perhaps this is one from Stone Creek who just flew home?

kayerj said...

wow, what a great find. I've seen them a few times but never close enough to catch a picture.

Snowcatcher said...

I love the portraits with the ice because it shows how cold the water most certainly must be, but wow, to capture him (or her) mid-swalllow!!!

HansHB said...

Awesome serie of shots!

mick said...

Great photos of the Heron but that water looks so very cold.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Definitely I can see it swallowing! It is so amazing to me the way they can stand perfectly still for so long and then (as you say) just bam, so quick and lunch is going down the throat!

Giga said...

Dobrze że zjadł pyszny posiłek. Zdjecia bardzo ładne. Pozdrawiam.
Good thing I ate a delicious meal. Very nice pictures. Yours.

Carletta said...

Makes me shiver seeing it standing in that icy water when we've had an 80 degree day. :)
Great shots!
Had to smile at the wind blown one.

Jill said...

These are wonderful shots!

Jack said...

The geographic range of herons is remarkable. They are down here in Florida, up in Connecticut, out west and even up in cold Canada. A very adaptable bird.

Kathy said...

A neighbor and I went great blue heron searching yesterday on our adjacent property. We spotted one old nest but no sighting of this year's birds! I hope they return soon.

Judy said...

Oh man that looks cold...I love that second shot with his feathers blowing.

Michelle said...

So regal!

Randy said...

I agree, it's very regal looking.

Hootin Anni said...

These are one of my favorite water birds!!! In fact I like 'em so much, I actually painted one from an image and framed it. They're so stately. Love your photo.

BAD 'Hair' DAY

Judy said...

It is amazing, the way their shape changes, from the familiar tall and dignified, to the rounded swallowing posture!!
Love the snow and ice in the background!!!

Rohrerbot said...

The Great Blue Heron is quite the sight. One of my favorite birds to watch up close. It's funny sometimes they'll let you get near(only if you have food) and other times they are so skittish!

Small City Scenes said...

Great shots, EG. I wonder if he wants mittens for his feet. Looks cold there. MB

CabinGirl said...

Love how you captured its feathers ruffling in the wind!

i stora drag said...

I do really love your photos and the heron too of course! I also seen one today.
Greetings Pia

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

he is stunning!

Splendid Little Stars said...

great captures! I love the wet disarrayed feathers!

Neil said...

They are very quick when feeding.

Rose said...

Very nice captures!!!

Rosemary Aubut said...

Gorgeous series of photos! looks so cold! Especially love the 3rd photo!

Wally Jones said...

Big Blue in the snow and ice?
Who'd a thunk it??

She's a great hunter no matter what the environment.

Nice photographs!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

This GBH is even more spectacular with the foam rolling water behind...very good image shares~

Stewart M said...

Very nice bird - I find the "blink and you've missed it" aspect of these birds fascinating - and frustrating!

Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW - Stewart M - Melbourne

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.