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!

39 thoughts on “Always Squawking”

Deb W. Trotter on May 1, 2013 at 5:00 pm said:

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!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 1, 2013 at 5:51 pm said:
  
  Oh the ones around here talk plenty, more then you would think they need to but what do I know?! 😀
  Thanks for looking Deb!
  
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janmasyn on May 1, 2013 at 5:06 pm said:

Wow Phil, the Grea

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- janmasyn on May 1, 2013 at 5:08 pm said:
  
  The Great blue heron, wonderful in flight shots.
  
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  - Phil Lanoue on May 1, 2013 at 5:51 pm said:
    
    Thanks Jan I appreciate you checking these out.
    
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dinajohnston on May 1, 2013 at 5:21 pm said:

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”.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 1, 2013 at 5:52 pm said:
  
  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.
  
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norasphotos4u on May 1, 2013 at 5:35 pm said:

Beautiful in-flight shots – almost majestic looking

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- Phil Lanoue on May 1, 2013 at 5:52 pm said:
  
  Thank you! The GBH is one of my all time favorite birds.
  
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pixelspielerei on May 1, 2013 at 6:47 pm said:

Oh yes: He tells a story, no doubt! 😉 Very nice photos!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 2, 2013 at 5:45 pm said:
  
  He tells something to everyone in the marsh that will listen whether they want to or not. 😉
  
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Andrew on May 1, 2013 at 11:02 pm said:

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”.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 2, 2013 at 5:46 pm said:
  
  I wonder if that parrot picked up the sound from a heron? That would be pretty funny.
  Thanks for looking Andrew.
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on May 1, 2013 at 11:31 pm said:

It is an amazing photo, your work is so enjoyable, and so informative.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 2, 2013 at 5:46 pm said:
  
  Well I really appreciate your kind comments Charlie!
  
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Gunta on May 1, 2013 at 11:42 pm said:

We seem to have the quiet variety, too. I’ve never heard one. Then again we don’t have very many great blues.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 2, 2013 at 5:47 pm said:
  
  I can hear our GBHs from a distance and you always knew one is around.
  
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lylekrahn on May 2, 2013 at 12:38 am said:

I suppose that trait is more easily endured in herons than people. Great photos.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 2, 2013 at 5:48 pm said:
  
  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.
  
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Chillbrook on May 2, 2013 at 4:10 am said:

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.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 2, 2013 at 5:50 pm said:
  
  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!
  
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Maggie Davey on May 2, 2013 at 8:44 am said:

Great photos, Phil, I do love the GBH – those colours! Prehistoric in flight and so majestic!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 2, 2013 at 5:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks Maggie and yes I am quite partial to these big guys and never get tired of watching and photographing them.
  
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adinparadise on May 2, 2013 at 10:34 am said:

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.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 2, 2013 at 5:51 pm said:
  
  Sounds effects is a great idea Sylvia, I’ll have get working on that! 😀
  
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  - adinparadise on May 3, 2013 at 2:19 am said:
    
    Something to help keep you out of mischief. 😛
    
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monisertel on May 2, 2013 at 12:19 pm said:

Hello Phil,
thanks for these amazing snapshots,
love it all and the last is my favorit.
Wish you a nice day,
moni

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- Phil Lanoue on May 2, 2013 at 5:51 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much moni I’m so glad you enjoy these photos!
  
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Angelia Sims on May 2, 2013 at 1:02 pm said:

They must be mostly female then. 😉 Love the lighting on these shots.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 2, 2013 at 5:52 pm said:
  
  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!
  
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Solveig on May 2, 2013 at 3:28 pm said:

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.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 2, 2013 at 5:53 pm said:
  
  Well I’m happy you are growing to like all the various birds in this area, I bet you love the alligators too! 😉 😀
  
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  - Solveig on May 4, 2013 at 9:24 am said:
    
    I have a strong interest in wild animals, especially predators and large mammals. So yes, I guess I like the alligators too. 😉
    
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Fergiemoto on May 2, 2013 at 7:34 pm said:

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.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 4, 2013 at 12:04 pm said:
  
  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. 🙂
  
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Bella Remy Photography on May 3, 2013 at 6:19 pm said:

Fabulous captures Phil ! You’re right, they really love to announce their movements.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 4, 2013 at 12:05 pm said:
  
  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. 🙂
  
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theforagingphotographer on May 5, 2013 at 4:52 am said:

There’s probably a sexist joke to be found there about it obviously being a female, Phil. 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:42 pm said:
  
  I think you are right Lucy but I deliberately left off that mention. 😀
  
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