Always Squawking
It seems that the great blue heron often feels it must announce it’s comings and goings along the marsh area by squawking loudly at every opportunity. We almost always know when a blue heron is up to something or moving to a new location because the sound they make is loud and unmistakable, and you can often hear one before you see it. I can understand those times when there are other birds around, but these herons even when alone will squawk just to hear themselves speak I think!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Beautiful photos. I have occasionally seen great blue herons in our town by a stream bank or in an open field, but they always seem a bit lost, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard one squawk. I always think of them as huge, silent birds! Nice to know they can talk!
Oh the ones around here talk plenty, more then you would think they need to but what do I know?! 😀
Thanks for looking Deb!
Wow Phil, the Grea
The Great blue heron, wonderful in flight shots.
Thanks Jan I appreciate you checking these out.
Nice flight shots! They do have a a distinctive sound. It’s as if they are saying “You’re invading my space so I’m outta here”.
Yeah we can hear them from a distance, you always know when one is coming in. Why they have to announce their arrival I do not know.
Beautiful in-flight shots – almost majestic looking
Thank you! The GBH is one of my all time favorite birds.
Oh yes: He tells a story, no doubt! 😉 Very nice photos!
He tells something to everyone in the marsh that will listen whether they want to or not. 😉
Nice photos Phil. I thought our Grey herons were unmistakable too. But recently I kept hearing what I thought was a heron in an area I would not necessarily have expected one. An hour later I walked round a corner and saw a parrot in a cage – calling just like a heron! It also said “Good morning”.
I wonder if that parrot picked up the sound from a heron? That would be pretty funny.
Thanks for looking Andrew.
It is an amazing photo, your work is so enjoyable, and so informative.
Well I really appreciate your kind comments Charlie!
We seem to have the quiet variety, too. I’ve never heard one. Then again we don’t have very many great blues.
I can hear our GBHs from a distance and you always knew one is around.
I suppose that trait is more easily endured in herons than people. Great photos.
Yeah you got that right, I am more then happy to hear a heron carry on but can’t always say the same about people.
Glad you like these pics.
Smashing shots Phil! I have some geese live on the pond across the field. They head off at sunrise and return at night, honking all the way. I guess the Heron is the same.
So do these geese ever honk you awake at sunrise? We have geese too that I often hear but generally it’s only my cat that screeches me up early.
Thanks very much Adrian!
Great photos, Phil, I do love the GBH – those colours! Prehistoric in flight and so majestic!
Thanks Maggie and yes I am quite partial to these big guys and never get tired of watching and photographing them.
I’ve also heard them often, and wondered what on earth it was making that dreadful racket. 🙂 Great photos, Phil. Now you just need to add the sound effects.
Sounds effects is a great idea Sylvia, I’ll have get working on that! 😀
Something to help keep you out of mischief. 😛
Hello Phil,
thanks for these amazing snapshots,
love it all and the last is my favorit.
Wish you a nice day,
moni
Thank you very much moni I’m so glad you enjoy these photos!
They must be mostly female then. 😉 Love the lighting on these shots.
They seem to cross gender lines with their squawking as best as I can tell, they all love to make a racket.
Glad you like the pics!
Thanks to all your great shots of these magnificent birds I have really started to love their looks! 😉 Though I still find them a bit odd.
Well I’m happy you are growing to like all the various birds in this area, I bet you love the alligators too! 😉 😀
I have a strong interest in wild animals, especially predators and large mammals. So yes, I guess I like the alligators too. 😉
I love these birds! Great shots!
I don’t think I have heard them squawking. They are usually so quiet every time we visit the bird refuge.
They are my favorite bird and the ones around here always seem compelled to announce whenever they are arriving or leaving. Plus even sometimes when they are just standing around. 🙂
Fabulous captures Phil ! You’re right, they really love to announce their movements.
Thanks Emily and yes I don’t know what it is but I think sometimes they just like to hear themselves speak. I have friends like that too. 🙂
There’s probably a sexist joke to be found there about it obviously being a female, Phil. 😉
I think you are right Lucy but I deliberately left off that mention. 😀