Some birds are with us for only a season or two before they migrate to new locations. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), however, stay in our area throughout the year and I can generally find one if I look hard enough. When I spotted this one recently at Huntley Meadows Park, it was perched on a single leg on a wood pile near the edge of the forest.
The heron was in the process of preening and if you look closely, you can see what I think are tiny feathers in its long bill. I noticed that the heron’s eyeswere only half-open, almost like the heron was still half-asleep as it prepared for the new day.
Ā© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Maybe you woke him up, Mike. He doesn’t look happy.
He was a bit far away for me to have awoken him, but I must confess that he does look a little irritated–maybe he prefers more privacy while doing his morning routine. š
That squinty-eyed look cracked me up. I’m always amused when I find a bird who seems entirely displeased with the world.
I see a lot of people with that look in their eyes above their mask-covered faces–the combination of politics and covid will do that to a person. As for the birds, who knows?
Kinda looks like a “don’t mess with me,” tough guy! M š
I am beginning to this this is a Clint Eastwood kind of squint. š
Nice Mike! The heron does seem to have an annoyed look to it!
Thanks, Reed. It’s amazing how expressive eyes can be, especially when a bird has a rigid bill that can’t smile or frown. š
They are such fun to watch on the ponds!
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I love watching them, too, though often they stand in one spot and then strike suddenly.
Wouldn’t it be fun to catch the strike!?
Sometimes when I am feeling really patient I will wait for the heron to strike and sometimes I will capture it in photos. I have a number of postings with herons and fish including this one https://michaelqpowell.com/2018/12/19/one-that-didnt-get-away/ .
Great capture, Mike! š
Thanks, Mitzy.
Love those guys. My spirit is ALWAYS lifted when one flies over our house.
I too love seeing herons flying. They seem a little gawky on the ground, but appear so graceful in the air.
The six foot wingspan makes them easy to spot!!
It’s interesting, Molly, that you mention the heron’s wingspan, because I am working on a few photos now that I will be posting soon that show that wingspan really well.
My first reactions were already covered–not happy, irritated, displeased, squinting, annoyed–I’d add grumpy to the list. Be that as it may, this is one very cool portrait.
“Grumpy” makes sense too. Of course, anthropomorphism is problematic in most cases and we are often guilty or mirror-imaging human behavior and facial expressions when the truth almost certainly is something different.