Ascending or Descending?
I photographed this great blue heron last week at the marsh as it was gliding in for a landing. But at a quick first glance I thought it almost looked like the heron was either hovering still in the air, or actually floating upward.
What do you think?
Phil Lanoue Photography 
He does look like he is floating upward!
I thought so too!
I think he’s getting beamed up. :-O~~~
Sure looks that way!
suspended in mid air!
Yes he does seem to be. 🙂
Somehow you took me back to my childhood. This is the equivalent shot of the coyotee just after he has gone over the edge of the cliff but before he knows it. In the next second he’s dropping like a stone. (It must be the trick question you asked.)
Doesn’t an ACME anvil fall on the coyote next?! 🙂
indeed
Levitation…another form of Zen concentration.
He has it down to a mystical science! 🙂
Looks to be landing but not real sure. I was trying to see of there was mositure on its legs which would mean the bird had been wading and fishing and was moving on. But…I could not determine if the bird’s legs had been in the water.
He was on his way to landing, but just took off out of water. The water will fall off the feet fairly quickly. 🙂
Obviously — he’s doing GANGNAM STYLE 🙂
Ha ha! That’s it! 😆
You thinking he’s learned a little something from one of those harrier jump jets or perhaps a boeing osprey with vertical lift?
You thiinking he might have learned a little something from those harrier jump jets or boeing osprey with vertical life capabilities?
That could be. Funny too because I just recently saw two of the Osprey aircraft flying low just over the water at the shoreline. Could have come from the AFB at Charleston.
Very interesting…coincidence? I think not…LOL
sorry…..vertical lift ….
I’ll go with beam me up, Scotty….
That will work. 🙂
Hi Phil,
Nice shot, looks like a very large Kingfisher hovering!! Happy New Year! Sharon & Phil Turner Myrtle Beach SC
Thanks very much Phil! That’s some big kingfisher for sure!
Neither ascending nor descending. He’s just standing in the air. 😉
It looks like that is what he is doing!
Hi Phil,
I think he just stopped with his morning gym, he think, it’s enough so early in the morning. 😉
Wish you a nice wednesday,
moni
He does work out a lot during the day so needs to relax. 🙂
Thanks moni!
This is another marine species, thinking how it would be a heron – but don´t know to use the wings 🙂
He is getting very good at flying lately! 🙂
Thank you for looking!
Made me smile… you are amazing. I love your photography, Thanks and Love, nia
Thank you so much for your kind words Nia!
Descending probably ;). Amazing photography as usual Phil 🙂
Yes he is on his way down, just taking his time I think. 🙂
Thanks very much Paula!
Really nice shot Phil, he is hovering like a heli :-)-
Thanks very much Jan. He does look like he is doing a slow hover. 🙂
I think I’ve said it before but these pictures really remind me of an aerial ballet. Beautiful shot Phil.
I appreciate your kind words Adrian and I’m happy you enjoyed this photo!
Sometimes it’s is an entire ballet out there. You should see some of the snowy egret photos I got yesterday. There was a lot of in flight moves going on. 🙂
Sembra ci sia una corrente d’aria che lo solleva. Che foto meravigliosa, scatto fantastico!!
Ciao, Pat
Toes pointed down – coming into land, right? What a magnificent creature 🙂
Yes he is landing in the marsh. The GBH is one of my favorite birds and they have quite an impressive wing span.
Plus they are often squawking about something which is fun. 🙂
I’ll go with the hover, whichever, a lovely pic.
I’m happy you enjoyed the GBH photo!
So I looked at the picture for a few moments, and… nothing. That bird is definitely just hovering.
He could have caught a bit of an updraft keeping him suspended there for a brief instant. It is very breezy out there in the open marsh.
Thanks for checking out this pic Sid!
Hanging by wires ! Faked you out… LOL !
Busted. I photoshopped out the wires. 😉 😀