One of the Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) that has been hanging around the boardwalk at my local marshland park was amazingly cooperative yesterday morning and posed for this portrait. I think the white background was caused by the very cloudy sky—it makes the shot look almost like it was taken in a studio setting.
I really like the way that you can see the wispy feathers on the top of the heron’s head. I can’t help but notice, though, that this heron has the same kind of growth pattern on the top of his head as I do.
I wonder if he would consider shaving his head (and I really hope that he does not opt for a comb-over hairstyle a bit later in life).
Is there a Hair Club for herons?
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Cute comments and nice close-up. Aren’t birds the best models?
That’s beautiful. I like how you can see the orange color under his beak too.
On a side note, I like how you do your copyright notice.
Hair club for herons is a wonderful idea!
Gorgeous portrait, Mike. You are so lucky to have a wetland so close to where you live! I really enjoy your images☺️Chris
Thanks, Chris. I am really fortunate not only to have a wetland, but a wetland with a boardwalk, which lets me get closer to some birds, animals, and insects than I might otherwise be able to do.
Gorgeous portrait, Mike. You are so lucky to have a wetland near where you live! I really enjoy your images😊Chris
HAHA, love this commentary. I love GBH’s!!
Beautiful, clear shot and that’s so funny about the hair club. Maybe someone can knit him a hat 😉
Sounds like a great idea for a hat. I can testify personally to the fact that you can lose a lot of body heat when the head is uncovered.
That is a fantastic photo. It’s so clear it could be a detailed illustration in one of my dad’s bird books. As for his hairstyle, I hope he doesn’t go for the comb over either, that is so sad!
My Dad had a comb over some of the time when I was growing up and I determined then that I was not going to do the same.
My dad just kept his hair short and went with the flow. I think it’s a far better option.
That’s odd, I wonder what caused it. Maybe he’s the granddad heron.