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
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.
ReplyDeleteHi! Beautiful captures! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I stayed Markham 7 days a few years ago. Is Markham very near to your house?
ReplyDeleteFinally, a picture of a bird I have actually seen. Beautiful isn't he? Great shots.
ReplyDeleteDarla
Very neat series of photos - and honestly, none of us (even movie stars) look our coolest while in normal pursuit of daily living.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots of this beautiful blue heron!
ReplyDeleteI've always thought of herons as being tropical, but now I've learned something new! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletei am assuming they have to crouch to make a whole fish go down without chewing it. i love to watch them fish.
ReplyDeleteFascinates me the way they do this EG, wonder if they even taste it as it goes down.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I think I like his slightly disheveled look!
ReplyDeleteGreat Blues are such elegant birds and you captured their beauty perfectly Camera Girl. ~:)
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteCute critters!
Léia
That first photo is so well-composed and the heron's "bad hair" makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful heron.
ReplyDeleteIt will be cold in the feet, the water freezing.
I send greetings.
Lucia
They are a delight to watch and hunt their meals.
ReplyDeleteHe looks quite happy even though it still looks pretty cold.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots, Love the second one against the snow.
ReplyDeletelove these guys and gals! wow, that must be cold!
ReplyDeleteMissing 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!
ReplyDeleteLove these birds,beautifully shot.
ReplyDeleteYou did capture him looking unusually awkward as he swallows. I'm glad he found a meal!
ReplyDeleteI'm much more familiar with his usual stately appearance.
He's a hardy guy - snow is no problem!
ReplyDeleteYou caught it looking both majestic and hey-I'm-eating-here:) And all look amazing!
ReplyDeleteOh! Such an elegant bird!
ReplyDeleteThey 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?
ReplyDeletewow, what a great find. I've seen them a few times but never close enough to catch a picture.
ReplyDeleteI 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!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome serie of shots!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the Heron but that water looks so very cold.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely 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!
ReplyDeleteDobrze że zjadł pyszny posiłek. Zdjecia bardzo ładne. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteGood thing I ate a delicious meal. Very nice pictures. Yours.
Makes me shiver seeing it standing in that icy water when we've had an 80 degree day. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat shots!
Had to smile at the wind blown one.
These are wonderful shots!
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeleteA 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.
ReplyDeleteOh man that looks cold...I love that second shot with his feathers blowing.
ReplyDeleteSo regal!
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's very regal looking.
ReplyDeleteThese 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.
ReplyDeleteBAD 'Hair' DAY
It is amazing, the way their shape changes, from the familiar tall and dignified, to the rounded swallowing posture!!
ReplyDeleteLove the snow and ice in the background!!!
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!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots, EG. I wonder if he wants mittens for his feet. Looks cold there. MB
ReplyDeleteLove how you captured its feathers ruffling in the wind!
ReplyDeleteI do really love your photos and the heron too of course! I also seen one today.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Pia
he is stunning!
ReplyDeletegreat captures! I love the wet disarrayed feathers!
ReplyDeleteThey are very quick when feeding.
ReplyDeleteVery nice captures!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous series of photos! looks so cold! Especially love the 3rd photo!
ReplyDeleteBig Blue in the snow and ice?
ReplyDeleteWho'd a thunk it??
She's a great hunter no matter what the environment.
Nice photographs!
This GBH is even more spectacular with the foam rolling water behind...very good image shares~
ReplyDeleteVery nice bird - I find the "blink and you've missed it" aspect of these birds fascinating - and frustrating!
ReplyDeleteCheers and thanks for linking to WBW - Stewart M - Melbourne