I really enjoy photographing birds. I especially like birds that are mostly found in and around water. Birds that make their homes in or rely on wetlands for their survival.

Wetlands birds come in so many shapes and varieties. From duck like birds to shore birds. And even amongst shore birds there is such a wide variety of birds. From tiny birds that are hard to see to the enormous Great Blue Heron.

Great Blue Herons were among the species of birds I first started photographing. They were fairly prevalent in the area where I lived and made great subjects to learn from. Both photography and about the animals themselves.

Great Blue Herons quickly became one of my favorite subjects and have remained a favorite. I rarely if ever turn down an opportunity to photograph a Great Blue Heron.

I think one of the most appealing things about a Great Blue Heron is that they are a study in contradiction. If you view a Great Blue Heron in profile they take up a lot of space and look large and impressive. But, if you see a Great Blue Heron from the front, facing each other and looking eye to eye they can seem small and narrow. They take up very little space.

This is most true if you are looking right at their heads. From the side their beak looks like a giant sword. But viewed head on the beak is sleek and narrow and ends in a point like a needle.

A Great Blue Heron is also a contradiction between grace and action. In flight a Great Blue Heron has slow majestic wing beats as it glides through the sky. On foot it slowly and elegantly stalks the wetlands. And The Great Blue Heron can stand still for what feels like an eternity if you are a photographer waiting to catch a dramatic action shot.

But then the second the Great Blue Heron detects prey it lunches into action. The bird stabs with its beak into the water so fast that you will surely miss it if you are not fully paying attention. The motion happens in an instant. And the Great Blue Heron catches and swallows its prey. The fish often larger around than the birds neck making a noticeable expansion as it slides down their throat.

There are so many reasons to love a Great Blue Heron and those are just a couple of mine. Go outside and see if you can find one or pick up a book and learn a bout them. They are fascinating and beautiful creatures.

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