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Photo Information
Copyright: Jim White (jmirah) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 506 W: 5 N: 1135] (4663)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-10-25
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D90, Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR, 67mm UV filter
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-10-29 12:51
Viewed: 161
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias

ORDER: CICONIIFORMES
FAMILY: ARDEIDAE

Info on the Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron is one of the most widespread and adaptable wading birds in North America. Up to seven subspecies have been recognized by past researchers, based on differences in size and plumage color, but a single subspecies (herodias) probably suffices for most of the continent, except for Florida’s Great White Heron (occidentalis), the subspecies most distinctive in color (entirely white). Occidentalis interbreeds freely with herodias to produce an intermediate form, Würdemann’s Heron of the Florida Keys. This account focuses on both of these subspecies: the continental Great Blue Herons (A. h. herodias), sometimes referred to as the herodias (or blue) group, and the Great White Heron, the occidentalis (or white) group. Both have received considerable attention from researchers. This species nests mostly in colonies, usually large ones of several hundred pairs. Such colonies are often located on islands or in wooded swamps, isolated locations that discourage predation by snakes and mammals. Although this species is primarily a fish eater, wading (often belly deep) along the shoreline of oceans, marshes, lakes, and rivers, it also stalks upland fields for rodents, especially in winter. Its well-studied, elaborate courtship displays have correlates on the foraging grounds, where this species can be strongly territorial.

Equally at home in coastal (marine) environments and in fresh water habitats, the Great Blue Heron has weathered the impacts of 20th century North Americans quite successfully, although its breeding colonies remain vulnerable to disturbance.

The Birds of North America Online
CeltickRanger, nasokoun, Mikolaj, tuslaw, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

hello Jim

an excellent photo of the Great Blue Heron shot at the good moment,
fine POV and framing, superb focus with great sharpness
and details, the blur of the wings gives the feeling of the flight,

TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1977 W: 6 N: 5525] (19661)
  • [2009-10-29 17:00]

Hi Jim,wonderful timing and impressive sharpness,these are the secrets of this impressive pic,wonderful work whit beautiful colors too!! My best compliments,have a nice day,Luciano

hello Jim
excellent moment of take off is fascinating with a so much beautiful and magnificent bird, arrested it very well, the output in his rich colours is very fine!
TFS thanks for sharing
Nasos

Hello Jim! Wonderful scene, amazing exposure, good light and colours, very good contrast and sharpness. Fantastic effect. Well done!

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 501 W: 20 N: 1381] (4827)
  • [2009-10-31 19:04]

Great capture Jim
The detail is exceptionally fine and the colors very natural. Love the slight blur of the wings as it shows motion and the way you composed the shot. Great job!! Very informative notes!
Ron

Hi Jim,

The subject is well framed. The point of view is allowing us to see the details and colors of the great blue heron taking off. The afternoon light has a good effect on the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2569] (9065)
  • [2009-11-12 23:49]

Hi Jim,
such a lovely shot of this bird in flight. Well presented in sharpness, and i like the motion blurr of the wings as it give a good sense of movement.
Very beautiful view and the grass gives a nice graphica effect too.

regards,
Foozi

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