“It Wasn’t Me, It Was That Other Bird”
Yesterday we spotted this great blue heron standing in a tree doing what I have often seen described as a “flasher” pose. You can draw your own conclusions regarding how it got that name, but from most of the research I have done, this posture is likely part of the heron’s ability to thermo regulate it’s body temperature. The wing out position can allow for better air flow when the bird is hot, or collect heat (as it appears to be doing here) to warm itself up in the sun after a cool evening.
However… could I have possibly caught it in an embarrassing situation? Soon after it was done flashing, the great blue flew across the marsh then ducked down low behind some reeds in hopes of remaining out of sight. It almost worked too, until I managed to steal a momentary glimpse of him when he briefly poked his up for a quick look around. 🙂
Phil Lanoue Photography 
That is FUNNY!!! 😀
Those herons can be goofy at times! 😀
Shame on him!!
I’m guessing he is not feeling as much shame as we suspect. 🙂
WOW! Once again! What is he doing in the first photograph, I haven’t seen something like that before…. This is amazing, amazing. Thank you dear Phil, love, nia
I think he is warming himself in the sun Nia! Thanks for looking at these photos.
Great shots Phil, the second one is beautiful.
Thanks Jan, I appreciate it.
Sometimes I wonder what those animals imagine in what they do!
That’s really funny! 😛
I imagine that all the time, that’s why I have to talk for them. I do the best I can at making it up. 😀
Wonderful shots, Phil! Love them.
I appreciate that Gracie, thanks!
This heron is a flasher! Nice job capturing fascinating shots!
He could be a naughty boy. He could also not care a bit. 😀
Tank you for the photo that are always great and the explanation.
I am happy you enjoyed them, thank you.
Just ain’t no privacy when you’re around! 😉
I do have a tendency to be a bit intrusive at times. 🙂
Fantastiche, la prima foto è veramente eccezionale. Sembra proprio che si sia messo in posa!!!
Ciao, Pat
Si tratta di una posa divertente. 😀 Grazie Pat
That posture in the first photo is almost prehistoric – pterodactyl-like. Lovely detail in the second! And amazing in the last – talk about fitting in. He even looks a little sly there. 😉
He does have a bit of a look in that last photo doesn’t he?! The GBH is my favorite bird and they are almost always up to something. They also have a lot of trouble keeping their yaps shut, constantly squawking about something. Or nothing. 😉
fascinating :)!
Thank you for looking and commenting!
I have seen one taking that pose. Amazing!
I have seen them do this before as well but not very often. I guess they have to be in the mood.
Cormorants stand like this, to dry their wings. Perhaps this is the same thing, Phil. Terrific pictures, I love the last one of him peeping bashfully through the reeds!
Yes Maggie, cormorants and anhingas hold their wings up to dry, but not a great blue heron. Those birds are water birds and fish under water, the GBH is a wader and the only thing he gets wet is his feet. 🙂
Just read that some birds do this to get rid of parasites.
That’s possible Maggie, I have read similar speculation. It could be true too since I don’t ever see these birds bathe in the traditional manner of splashing themselves all over with water, which is how birds often remove pests.
Hi Phil,
that first blue heron bird looks like a wizard hat. Thats funny!
Good observation about the wizard hat, I like that!
Thanks so much for looking and commenting!
I am wondering how the heron got its wings to bend in that direction to catch the sunlight.
The prevailing theory is that the heron has been practicing yoga for over a year now and it getting quite limber. 😉
Seriously though, I have seen them get in this position a few times and I don’t know how they do it but they do.
It really is quite an amazing posture!
He looks a little like he is doing a satellite dish impersonation.
I’ve never seen that first pose before, but what a funny story. In the third photo I can just imagine the heron thinking: “Rats! He’s still out there watching me!”
Thanks for checking these out Lee and I agree about that last shot, he does not look very pleased to have been spotted out there. 🙂
I love watching these big guys!
That’s hilarious. I’ve never seen anything like it. Great story too.
Another reason why the GBH is my favorite bird (except when the spoonbills are around, but don’t tell him) they rarely fail to bring the action and comedy.
I’ve never seen them in this pose, but I wonder if they are exposing the under side of the wing to a little heat and UV radiation in order to kill a few of the feather kites there.
That’s possible Sue, I have read similar speculation. It could be true too since I don’t ever see these birds bathe in the traditional manner of splashing themselves all over with water.
They do love to hide in the reeds! Great photos. I’m not sure whether it’s okay to laugh at the pose in the first one?!? The bird just looks so silly. 🙂
The GBH never fails to bring the action and bring the funny Deb! I love watching these big guys!
Once again you have left me breathless 🙂
Well I greatly appreciate you checking these photos out Paula and glad you enjoyed them!
Geez, those paparazzi have nothing on you, Phil! 😀 great captures again, and thanks for showing me something I’ve never seen before. Love that last pic of him hiding from your lens. 🙂
I have seen GBHs do this previously Sylvia, but not often. Plus I think maybe this is the first time I saw one standing in a tree holding that pose.
He tried to hide, but I spotted the big sneak. 😀
🙂
Phil you missed a word out there…”he briefly poked his up for a quick look around”… I must say I did wonder what on earth I was going to see in the pictures… 😀 Great pictures as always.