At this time of the year, the vegetation is thick and the leaves are still on the trees, so it is hard for me to spot birds. Of course, it is a bit easier when the birds are large in size, like this Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) that I spotted amidst the reeds and lily pads this past Wednesday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
The heron did not show any signs that it was actively hunting, but with herons, it is hard to tell—they will stand for lengthy periods of time in a single spot and then strike suddenly and violently. As a photographer, it is tough for me to have that same amount of patience and vigilance. After a reasonable amount of waiting, I will often move on, as I did here, and leave the heron peacefully in place.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
They are masters of camouflage.
Indeed they are. Sometimes I will see a heron standing in open water, but when they are at the edge of a pond or marsh, they can be hard to see.
[…] Heron in September — Mike Powell […]
I love seeing these guys walking in the water.
I haven’t seen them as often this year as in the past, but that may simply be a result of not getting out as much. Before long the Great Egrets will be gone from area, but the Great Blue Herons stay with us all winter.
I have only seen a couple, but I’m rarely by the river in the morning. That’s when I used to see them looking for breakfast.
Sigh. Someday I’ll get a good picture of a heron. In the meantime enjoy yours.
Thanks, Michael. I have always found herons to make great subject to practice on. Even when they take to the air, they are so big and fly slowly enough that I feel like I have a fighting chance of getting a decent shot.
Whenever I go out, they are always hiding. They do that really well.
I love this photo! Such a nice composition with the stately heron and the contrast between the different plant types!
Thanks, Liz. Quite often when I see a heron it is in the open water, where it stands out more. When I took the shot, I was not sure if the background would be too cluttered, but I was delighted with the way it turned out. I was especially happy with the clean separation of the vegetation types, as you noted, which I had feared would look like a tangled mess.
Quite the opposite and I’m not surprised you were delighted.. this is a great success!