As I was walking around a pond in Northern Virginia, I spotted this Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) standing at the edge of the water. My view, however, was significantly obstructed by the vegetation that separated us. I moved a little closer and then started to make tiny movements up and down and from side to side, searching for a visual tunnel that would give me a clearer view of this beautiful bird.
Although I never did get a completely unobstructed shot, I really like this one. The image has kind of a whimsical feel to it, because at first glance it looks like the heron has speared the small tree and I was also quite happy with the amount of detail that I was able to capture in the feathers and in the eye.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Nothing like finding a Great Blue. Even here it’s always a thrill. Nice image.
The extremely rare tree-spearing heron.
🙂
Nice Mike! Always fun to photograph and see them close up!
Excellent close-up, Mike.
Thanks, Dan. As is usually the case, I try to get the best shot I can get considering the circumstances. There was no way that I was going to work my way through the vegetation without disturbing the heron.
Nice shot!
Very nice, Mike, with wonderful details and the head feathers sticking out. The branch adds interest to the portrait.