A Great Blue Heron is barely visible in the above landscape, and my photo suffers from the poor light:
The sky took on a threatening appearance and light rain began falling before I could get back to the house:
The rain stopped just as I exited the road from the wetlands and entered the gate to our subdivision, so I checked out the lake from a small park located a few doors from our home.
Two Wood Storks were following a Tricolored Heron along the opposite shore:
The heron seemed to be spotting places where fish were disturbing the water, and it would wait for the storks to catch up. Perhaps both are benefiting by this association. The heron is finding prey and the storks are stirring the water to disperse them into its open jaws. The stork also shades the water with one wing, probably encouraging small fish to seek safety in the shadow:
A Great Egret was wading along my side of the lake, to the east. The sun was behind it, causing its image to be in deep shadow, like a silouhette. Back-lighting sometimes enhaces the profile of white birds, but the photos must be carefully brightened.
A third stork came into view from the right (east) end of the lake and caught up with the other two. Then it flew over close to me where the egret was fishing:
The stork and egret stayed close together and I saw the stork catch one fairly large fish.
One of the other storks then flew in, and the egret immediately flew away. (If video does not load in the space below, CLICK THIS LINK
A "painterly" view of our back yard:
Oh my, your painterly view of your back yard is simply gorgeous! Definitely something I would put on the wall. As for those glorious birds, the only time I have ever gotten to see them is on our trips to Florida. I do spot a heron every now and again but even that isn't too often. Love all your photographs. A real treat!
ReplyDeleteThese are stunning photos! The portraits of the birds are absolutely beautiful and those reflections are incredible!
ReplyDeleteHello!:) These are all amazing shots of the Herons, Storks, and the sky formations over the lake are beautiful. The ninth shot of the Stork IF is wonderful, and I enjoyed watching the vídeo clip.
ReplyDeleteRegards.
Great shots - I watched a flock of cormorants apparently cooperating with a flock of egrets ones - remarkable behaviour.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
These are just wonderful in so many ways. I really enjoyed viewing them.
ReplyDeleteReally great series of photos - I enjoyed than very much!
ReplyDeleteLea
Oh, my goodness...what some great shots. And such wonderful skies to look at. I love the one of the stork flying.
ReplyDelete