Evening Flight

Last night I was watching this great blue heron that had been standing along the edge of the salt marsh preening. Once he stopped, looked up, and got that ‘look’ I figured he was thinking about leaving…and that’s when I got these shots as he flew across the marsh.

64 thoughts on “Evening Flight”

lylekrahn on July 19, 2013 at 4:38 pm said:

It’s to know what they are “saying.”

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- Phil Lanoue on July 19, 2013 at 4:51 pm said:
  
  I’m glad he did what I thought he might do around when I thought he might do it.
  Does that make sense?! 🙂
  
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  - lylekrahn on July 19, 2013 at 5:25 pm said:
    
    completely
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on July 19, 2013 at 5:33 pm said:
      
      Ok good.
      I gotta tell ya what happened the other night when I was out looking at the big boys. I’ll have to send you an email on this one.
      
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  - Judy on July 19, 2013 at 8:17 pm said:
    
    Totally!
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 2:57 pm said:
      
      Thanks for checking these out!
      
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Gunta on July 19, 2013 at 4:39 pm said:

Utterly breathtaking!!! They are such gorgeous birds. Some great shooting there, too. 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on July 19, 2013 at 4:52 pm said:
  
  Wow! Thanks so much Gunta, I’m really glad you liked these GBH photos and I appreciate your kind comments!
  
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HansHB on July 19, 2013 at 4:45 pm said:

A great serie, love these flight photos!
Brilliant work!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 19, 2013 at 4:53 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much Hans, I’m glad you enjoyed seeing these flight photos!
  
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Sally Wood on July 19, 2013 at 4:48 pm said:

Lovely light on these birds!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 19, 2013 at 4:54 pm said:
  
  It was that late evening sunset lighting, but not quite enough sun out to really light it up nice but still a pretty setting out there.
  Thanks Sally!
  
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pixelspielerei on July 19, 2013 at 4:49 pm said:

Wow! And again: Great Shots, Phil. Really fantastic! ▲

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- Phil Lanoue on July 19, 2013 at 4:54 pm said:
  
  Hey thanks very much I’m very happy you liked the GBH pics!
  
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einfachtilda on July 19, 2013 at 4:49 pm said:

So wunder…wunderschön!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 19, 2013 at 4:55 pm said:
  
  Vielen Dank ich bin glücklich Ihnen gefallen die Fotos 🙂
  
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Victor Rakmil on July 19, 2013 at 5:04 pm said:

Great photography! Wonderful light and a great subject.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 19, 2013 at 5:22 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Victor I appreciate you looking and commenting!
  
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edithlevyphotography on July 19, 2013 at 5:18 pm said:

Fantastic Phil. Incredible captures.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 19, 2013 at 5:22 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch for the very kind comments Edith!
  
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janmasyn on July 19, 2013 at 5:48 pm said:

These are really beautiful shots Phil, excellent work.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 2:57 pm said:
  
  I appreciate that Jan, thanks.
  
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Gemma Wiseman on July 19, 2013 at 5:50 pm said:

Wonderful drama in flight! So majestic and graceful! But I especially love the lighting highlighting the feather detail in the first photo!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 2:58 pm said:
  
  I’m very happy you enjoyed these GBH photos thanks!
  
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Liana on July 19, 2013 at 6:05 pm said:

this is why I don’t take pictures of herons, although the water behind my cottage is full of them… one flies low over the lake right in my eye lines as I write (just to mock me)

oh boy, there he goes, another pass back in the other direction

cripes.

I leave herons to those of you who speak fluent heron with your lens, just as I leave screenwriting to Aaron Sorkin and things made from chocolate to the Swiss

(hope you feel the compliment in all that)

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 2:59 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much for looking and commenting and I greatly appreciate your compliments! The great blue heron is my favorite bird and I enjoy watching and photographing them quite a bit.
  
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TheForagingPhotographer on July 19, 2013 at 6:07 pm said:

Great shots Phil! I think you missed the photos I put up for you… I put up a post especially for you.
http://theforagingphotographer.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/purple-or-blue/

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:00 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much Lucy I’m glad you liked these GBH pics!
  I’ll check out your post. 🙂
  
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The Dancing Rider on July 19, 2013 at 6:19 pm said:

Like the background, with Mr. Heron in such sharp detail. So very graceful, and with such long feet!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:01 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, and yes they sure do have loon feet and legs. They need those to wade in shallow water hunting for food.
  
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Pride in Photos Photography on July 19, 2013 at 6:32 pm said:

The first shot is very distinguished…

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:01 pm said:
  
  He does have a certain look about him doesn’t he?! 🙂
  
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choppy123 on July 19, 2013 at 7:20 pm said:

Especially like the second one in, with the water droplets behind him,:)

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:02 pm said:
  
  Thanks much for checking these out and glad you like them!
  
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Amy on July 19, 2013 at 8:28 pm said:

Great shot of the first one, he looks so dignified! The sparkling water droplets of the second one is breathtaking sight! then, a perfect takeoff! He knew he was awesome 🙂 Thank you, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:03 pm said:
  
  I truly appreciate your very kind comments Amy and so glad you liked these GBH photos!
  I often believe these birds think quite highly of themselves and well they should! 😀
  
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Deb W. Trotter on July 19, 2013 at 8:32 pm said:

Beautiful shots of a beautiful bird. We have herons here in California, too, and I know that look – they do NOT like to stand there and be subjected to your scrutiny!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch Deb, I’m happy you liked these! I don’t think this bird was particularly bothered by me watching him, it was close to high tide and the water above their preferred wading depth so I knew he would not stick around long. I should be able to get flight shots if I just waited a bit.
  
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Andrew on July 19, 2013 at 9:46 pm said:

I can never get enough of herons. Wonderfully charismatic birds. But where was Mr. Aligator?

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:10 pm said:
  
  These guys are my favorite bird and I never get tired of watching and photographing them.
  Glad you asked about Mr. A. Here he is, over on the pond side enjoying the sunset. I took this photo about 15 mins. after the heron. 🙂 They also showed this on the 11pm TV news.
  
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The Wanderlust Gene on July 20, 2013 at 12:13 am said:

Oh wow, spectacular shots of that handsome bird – and added to that, the fantastical magical light! What an evening it was Phil. They’re all fantastic captures (of course, what we expect from Mr. Lanoue!), but I adore the second, with the little spray of water arching up from where the heron’s toes brushed the surface, taking off. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:12 pm said:
  
  Wow! I greatly appreciate your very kind comments, thanks very much! 🙂
  So nice to know you enjoyed these photos!
  
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Jean-Paul on July 20, 2013 at 3:32 am said:

Excellent shot Phill ♥

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:12 pm said:
  
  Merci Jean-Paul 🙂
  
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  - Jean-Paul on July 20, 2013 at 5:17 pm said:
    
    ;o))
    
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roughseasinthemed on July 20, 2013 at 6:05 am said:

I love the first one. He might as well be saying ‘Aren’t I gorgeous?’ I’m sure I’ve said before they look like Concorde. Perhaps the aeroplane designers were ornithologists? Lovely series of him soaring into flight.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:13 pm said:
  
  I often believe these herons think quite highly of themselves and well they should, they are impressive birds.
  Thanks very much for checking these out and glad you enjoyed them!
  
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foxleylady on July 20, 2013 at 7:10 am said:

I love each and every one of these; the detail of the droplets as he flies, the fantastic green of the grass in the background, that gorgeous closeup. Such a beautiful bird!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:14 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million for looking and commenting, I greatly appreciate it!
  
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crazytraintotinkytown on July 20, 2013 at 7:36 am said:

Just like you Phil, sophsticated and elegant

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:17 pm said:
  
  I knew dressing in a tux to go out to shoot wildlife photos would pay off eventually, thanks 😀
  
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Patrizia M. on July 20, 2013 at 9:55 am said:

Fantastica serie di scatti
Bellissime

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:18 pm said:
  
  Grazie mille Pat ed è così bello vederti 🙂
  
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adinparadise on July 20, 2013 at 11:03 am said:

Fabulous shots, Phil. They’re all superb, but I like the take-off one the best, with the water droplets spraying out behind him. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch Sylvia and I’ll join you there, that shot is my fave as well! 🙂
  
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Steve Gingold on July 20, 2013 at 2:42 pm said:

Love herons. These are some nice take off/flight shots and the light, especially on the first image, is lovely, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 3:20 pm said:
  
  These are probably my favorite bird, I never get tired of watching and photographing the great blues.
  Thanks very much Steve I really appreciate your kind comments.
  
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photographybycalliec on July 20, 2013 at 5:31 pm said:

Another beautiful series,just magic,nature is a beautiful thing and you certainly know how to bring that out through your stunning images.
cheers Callie

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- Phil Lanoue on July 20, 2013 at 5:53 pm said:
  
  Well thanks a million Callie I greatly appreciate that and I’m happy you enjoy the photos!
  
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Mike Powell on July 22, 2013 at 7:21 am said:

What else can I say but join the chorus of compliments on these awesome shots. Your commentary reinforces that basic lesson that it’s so easy to forget–know your subject (and hope they act and react in predictable ways).

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- Phil Lanoue on July 23, 2013 at 11:07 am said:
  
  Thanks very much Mike I appreciate you looking and commenting and glad you enjoyed these photos!
  
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Chillbrook on July 23, 2013 at 1:14 pm said:

Simply stunning Phil. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on July 25, 2013 at 12:56 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million Adrian!
  
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Fergiemoto on July 27, 2013 at 6:17 pm said:

Beautiful evening shots with the lovely golden glow! This is one of my favorite birds.

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