A shot from my recent trip to Florida. Lots of activity at this time of year especially with the herons on the nests feeding the young etc. This pair in particular caught my eye as they were the only ones doing this...with mum putting her wings up to keep the little one in the shade from the intense mid afternoon sun.
D300 with 200-400 + 1.4x
I took a few shots over the course of 20 minutes or so and have been coming back to these two trying to decide which to post so I thought I'd post them both! I like the first one for the eye contact of both birds.
But I like the second for the head on viewpoint that really shows off the shape of the adult with it's wings spread out.
Posted by Mark sellings on March 27, 2009 at 7:51 AM
"check this out" - looks like a flasher to me! great shot - full of character!
Mark
Posted by Mark Davies on March 27, 2009 at 8:48 AM
Beautiful symetry with the second and great behaviour pics .
Posted by Mike Smith on March 27, 2009 at 10:11 AM
great shots
I think the behaviour is actually feather "sunbathing". I've seen it a few times with UK herons (the wings form a type of parabolic reflector directing the sun into the body feathers) and blackbirds do some thing similar fluffing up their feathers lying on your lawn..... I believe they are using the heat of the sun to remove feather lice and other parasites. Most birds sit on the youngsters when in the nest to shade them from the sun.
Hi, an excellent shot showing parental behaviour superbly. Reminds me of my visits to Venice in Florida where I saw this exact same behaviour. As I said an excellent shot, well seen and executed.
Posted by Adam Seward on March 27, 2009 at 11:12 AM
First one for me - the background sets off the adult's head better. Interesting behaviour and good shots!
Posted by Barry Southon on March 27, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Stunning shot, I really love grey heron's and I did spend some time of my own with a family a while back and each shot always seemed so precious. well executed !
Discussion
9 repliesD300 with 200-400 + 1.4x
I took a few shots over the course of 20 minutes or so and have been coming back to these two trying to decide which to post so I thought I'd post them both! I like the first one for the eye contact of both birds.
Mark
I think the behaviour is actually feather "sunbathing". I've seen it a few times with UK herons (the wings form a type of parabolic reflector directing the sun into the body feathers) and blackbirds do some thing similar fluffing up their feathers lying on your lawn..... I believe they are using the heat of the sun to remove feather lice and other parasites. Most birds sit on the youngsters when in the nest to shade them from the sun.
Mike
Great behaviour shots well captured.
Barry
Kansas
Drew