Late Afternoon Flight
This past weekend we had rain and cool temps for Friday and Saturday but then it was back to warm and sunny for Sunday. We figured the nicer weather would bring out many of the usual crowd to the salt marsh and we were correct. We saw great egrets, snowy egrets, white ibis, brown pelicans, all types of little shore birds, and even a bald eagle or two.
At one point this great blue heron was seen jetting across the marsh in a purposeful manner. Often the blue herons feel compelled to announce their arrival or departure with a loud squawking sound, but this one must have been on a serious mission. It was silent the entire trip, which means it was likely heading to either a really good fishing spot or possibly on it’s way to chase off a competitor!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Hello Phil,
amazing shots, it hovers above the water, wonderful!
Have a nice day,
moni
Thank you moni, so glad you like these photos.
Amazing shots, Phil!
I appreciate you looking and commenting Gracie!
It is actually really grateful. Excellent shots per usual 🙂
I meant *graceful* 😆
I gotcha. Thanks very much for checking them out! 🙂
Looks exactly line an aeroplane. Wings up, wings down, aerodynamic.
They are quite aerodynamic and for a big bird they are very fast flyers.
Very nice shots Phil, well done.
Glad you like these Jan, thanks.
I like it – a stealth mission.
They can be stealthy. I have seen them surprise an egret by practically landing on it’s head. Not subtle by any means, but stealthy in approach. 🙂
I just love your flight pictures Phil. Superb!
I’m happy you like these Adrian, thanks!
Gorgeous shots of this beauty!
I appreciate your kind words Molly!
He definitely looks like he’s on a mission…….. so clear and beautifully sharp…….. you are a master.
He was on a mission. 🙂 Thank you Sally, I greatly appreciate your kind comments!
Such lovely pictures, Phil! We don’t have such colourful herons here in the UK, just the grey ones but I always think, watching them fly over us from one lake to the next, that they are truly the presentday version of the flying creatures from the age of the dinosaurs. The outline is so prehistoric!
They do most certainly have a prehistoric look to them you are correct about that Maggie. Between those birds and the alligators which look like living dinosaurs, it’s almost Jurasic Park out here. 🙂
Looks like it is saying, “How low can you go?”
They are experts at the long, low glide! 🙂
A great serie of flight photos!
Well done!
Thanks Hans, glad you enjoyed them!
I love the light here Phil, and how it highlights the heron’s head.
Glad you like these Lucy, and yes that late afternoon light this time of year can be quite nice.
What amazing pics, Phil. The detail is really stunning, and I can even see the expression in its eye. He’s really got this flying thing down to a fine art, hasn’t he? 🙂
Thanks very much Sylvia! Yes he is an expert flyer and often uses his ability to chase other birds around. Sometimes I think they do it simply becuase they can. 🙂
Love Great Blue Herons when the squawk. It is so loud and a bit outworldly. You capture them so beautifully.
I often find it hilarious when they let out those loud squawks and there isn’t even another bird around. I think they like to hear themselves speak. 🙂
You are so right about alligators, Phil. We took our grand-daughter to a dinosaur park last year and saw a Sarcosaurus. Apart from the size, it looked so like an alligator. What a lucky man you are, to live close to such an incredible array of wildlife!
Yes Maggie the alligators are particularly amazing in my view. I enjoy watching and photographing them and have the greatest respect for them. 🙂
Ah, I just love seeing them in flight. Magnificent!!
Thanks very much for checking these out I greatly appreciate it!
Amazing pics,Phil. I’m in England now, and so missing my GBH, 😢