You Could Put An Eye Out With That Thing!
This great blue heron came zipping by me so close and so fast I only had a chance to bang off this one frame. It turned out that I captured just the front half of the bird as it flew across the salt marsh but that was the business end!
I’m glad I did not need to go to the hospital Emergency Room and have to explain to the doctor that my injury was the result of a blue heron smacking me with it’s wing as it jetted by!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Nice close up Phil.
Thanks Jan, he did get close.
He was over the speed limit for sure. Glad you are safe, Phil 🙂 Amazing capture!
Yes Amy he was moving pretty good! I don’t think he would be too happy running into me or anyone. 🙂
Very close, Phil! That bill alone …. I imagine just a tap with that wing could really hurt. It reminds of of when I was skating, the simplest tap of the tiniest part of your hand on a the rink barrier hurt unbelievably bad! It’s that momentum thing. And you would have been the stationary object!
I have a motorcycle and one time I was going 70 on the highway when I hit a very large bug square on my chest. You wouldn’t think just a bug would make that much of an impact but it sure did. Rain can sting quite a bit as well.
Thanks for looking!
What an amazing shot! I’m glad you didn’t end up in the ER, too!
I can tell you I would not want to be standing next to one of these birds that was very mad at me and have it hit my leg with that sharp bill. That thing would go right to the bone and keep on going.
That is another situation I would prefer not to have to explain to the ER doc.
But if ever you do go to the ER with one of these wildlife injuries, please be sure to film it.
I have a full production crew on call for just such events! Oh yes, it will be filmed!
That’s a great story and photo! You have excellent reflexes 🙂
Heh heh, thanks! I’m glad you liked this shot!
Do you remember being told as a kid that it’s always fun until someone gets hurt? I had no idea it might still apply to you! Good reaction to get great action.
Oh yeah I remember, but I also remember that as kids we still thought it was fun even after somebody got hurt. Maybe I hung with an odd group of friends.
Per fortuna non sei finito al pronto soccorso, ma hai potuto fare questo scatto stupendo!!!
Ciao, Pat
Ero già al pronto soccorso il mese scorso. Non voglio tornare indietro. 😯
An injury like that is something you really don’t need at the moment!
You are right about that Maggie, I have enough on my plate for now. Yikes!
Close call Phil, but you still got a wonderful shot.
I’m glad you liked the shot. He got close but I’m sure he would not want to run into me either. 🙂
I’m just hoping that was taken with a long lens. 🙂
I think it would be worse if I took it with a really short lens! 😯
Blimey Phil, that was a close shave!
Yes, when you can feel the air displacement you know it’s close. 🙂
Thanks Lucy!
You need your eyes to keep providing us such wonderful images. If it happens again, be sure to turn your head so he gets your ear, not your eye. Van Gogh did well as an artist while missing part of his ear.
Oooo… I had not thought about getting an ear clipped. Yikes! Now I have that in mind. 😯 🙂
Thanks Mike!
Great reflexes you have, Phil. Fabulous close-up, and I’m also glad he didn’t catch you with that wing. His beak looks like a deadly missile. 😯
Yes I would rather get a brush by with wing then get stuck with that sharp bill! Yikes! That would hurt! 😯
Power in motion!
Yup, and as long as he keeps a little bit of distance I’m OK. 🙂
Gorgeous light, movement, grace! I am so impressed!
Well thanks a million Paula, I appreciate it very much!