Great Blue Heron

[joyjoy]

I took these yesterday at dusk. The bird was a lot of fun to watch, seemed very peaceful.

[Ron Kruger]

Interesting birds. The ones around here (Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkely) are not as colorful as the ones in Florida. They call them the same, but ours are all blue, with no ornamental plumage.
Handsome birds from a distance, but up close they are disgusting creatures. I caught one by accident one time while fishing during the winter. Normally they will fly away before one gets within casting distance, always squaking a premitive-sounding protest.
But this one just stood there at the water's edge. So I thought I would bounce my weedless (where the hook is not exposed) plastic worm off its back, just to teach it a lesson to stay away from humans. When I cast the worm, it bounced off his back alright, but at the same time the heron flapped its wings and became tangled in the fishing line.
I had to reel him in, and was glad no one else was out and about. He made all kinds of squaking noises and tried with every move I made to impale me upon the tip of his beak.
Finally I got him lose and he took off unharmed, but much wiser. During the ordeal, I leaned herons stink like a dead fish mixed with bird escrement, and up close, their feathers are spotted with what looks like their own dropping in which lice and other vermin find comfortable lodging.
No wonder no one has ever tried to make a pet of a wild heron, and it may be why they are such solitary creatures.

[joyjoy]

Wow. I will no longer look at this bird the same way.

[AgingEyes]

Oh Ron, now you've totally changed my impression of the great blue heron. Thank you very much

C'mon, are they that bad ?

They just want to be left alone, you know, motionless

[Ron Kruger]

I still admire the birds, but they are pigs with wings.
Have you ever seen one in a petting zoo?
If you don't believe me catch one yourself, but do it on an empty stomach. lol

[scott-devon]

I like that first shot a lot Joyjoy. Great pose and background.

[joyjoy]

"Pigs with wings." That is the greatest phrase I have seen written in a while, and from now on when I see one of these birds I will chuckle.

scott-devon - thanks so much. I think it has easily become one of my favorite shots. I am planning on including in in the wedding; each table will be named for one of our favorite places to visit, and each place setting will have a photo for each guest. We think it will be a nice way to share a part of us with those in attendance.

[mn shutterbug]

Finally I got him loose and he took off unharmed, but much wiser.

But Ron, are you any wiser?

Nice captures.