One of the advantages to taking photos in the rain is that the birds and animals seem a little less sensitive to my presence and there are fewer other people around to spook them. This past weekend I came across this Green Heron (Butorides virescens) at relatively close range while it was raining.
The heron was perched on a log, just about the level of the water and I had an unobstructed view of him. Despite the sound on my shutter as I snapped off some shots, the heron seemed oblivious to the fact that I was there.
Initially, the little Green Heron stood on the log, surveying the situation. Eventually, he bent over a bit to look more attentively at the water for potential prey. After a little while, he hopped off the log and I lost sight of him in the plant-filled water.
This is one of the few times that a Green Heron has not taken off immediately when I saw it or, as is often the case, before I even saw it. As a result I was able to get my clearest shots of a Green Heron to date, though, of course, I’ll continue to be on the lookout for even better shots.
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Great photos – it looks pretty content. I have also learned that you can take good wildlife photos in the rain. I’m still surprised it doesn’t affect the image especially when there’s a lot of water between the camera and the subject.
At the moment of this photo, the rain had mostly abated, as I recall. I took some photos that day, though, when you could see the raindrops falling in the background. It is probably not optimal for wildlife shooting to be walking around with an umbrella in one hand, but that was what I was doing most of time I was out that day.
Good shots in the rain!
These shots couldn’t be better. I think you’ve gotten closer to this skittish bird than any other nature blogger that I’ve read.
What a beautiful heron! Nice shots, Mike. 🙂
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The light is perfect to bring out all the color. Your best heron shots yet.
Thanks, Sue. These shots are the ones that I would bring out if someone asks me if it is worthwhile going out to shoot when it is raining.