Yesterday I returned to the little lake near where I live in hopes of seeing the Belted Kingfisher again. As I was scanning the trees near the water’s edge, I caught sight of a Great Blue Heron.
Most of the time when I see Great Blue Herons, they are in the water. This one, however, seemed quite content to just stand in the shade of a tree on a slanted bank, surrounded by all kinds of roots and vines.
As I was inching my way down the slope of the opposite bank, he caught sight of me and took off immediately. Acting on instinct, I raised my camera to try to capture him in flight and lost my footing. Sliding down the bank. I dug in my heels and managed to stop just before I reached the water.
Needless to say, I did not get any good shots of the heron’s departing flight.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
It obviously wanted to make a good showing. Enjoyed, as usual.
I just wish they would give me a signal that they are about to take off so that I can be more ready.
That would make it too easy.
It looks pretty content over there. Given all the action on your side of water, maybe the heron would have been better off taking the photo!!
The curse of being a nature photographer. I usually fall down rather than slide, but it’s really all the same. At least you got a good shot of the heron to make it worth while.
Ha ha, been there, done that. Protect the camera at all cost to the body, clothes, etc. That’s how I almost lost a boot in frozen muck. And it makes for a good story!