The Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias) is the most common and largest of the North American herons. They wade along the shallows as this one is on the shore of Hillsborough Bay. According to National Geographic, “They are expert fishers. Herons snare their aquatic prey by walking slowly, or standing still for long periods of time and waiting for fish to come within range of their long necks and blade-like bills. The deathblow is delivered with a quick thrust of the sharp bill, and the prey is swallowed whole. Great blue herons have been known to choke to death by attempting to swallow fish too large for their long, S-shaped necks. Though they are best known as fishers, mice constitute a large part of their diet, and they also eat insects and other small creatures." They stand quite tall, 3.2 to 4.5 feet (1 to 1.4 meters) - this one was about 4 feet - and have a wingspan of 5.5 to 6.6 feet (1.7 to 2 meters.) They can fly along at 20 to 30 miles per hour.
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Rebecca Sexton Larson of Tampa is a very fine and accomplished studio artist and photographer. She is represented in several major private collections and museums throughout the United States. Visit her@ http://boxfotos.blogspot.com/
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7 comments:
That is a really nice looking bird. It reminds me of the type that would be in a zoo. It's a shame about the litter in the water.
Terveiset täältä Suomesta!
Sinun blogisi on hyvin elävä ja monipuolinen. Kuvatkin ovat loistavia. Hyvää jatkoa Sinulle sinne Amerikkaan.
@ James - A few of the shots I took of the bird were closer and the "litter" is a Heineken beer bottle...but I didn't see it when I was shooting and focusing on him. He was about 8 feet from me and not at all afraid.
I like heron.
When I see it,I have something poetic feeling.
Wonderful photo!!
That is a handsome bird!
Wonderful capture. I love these birds and I love watching them fish. Sometimes they can be skittish but if they're fishing they do concentrate hard and you can get closer...
And aren't they a wonder when they fly off?
Beautiful bird, great shot. I think I never saw a real one.
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