More Herons.

Housemate/Dearest Friend/Photographic Mentor Lizz told me about a heron rockery she’d crossed paths with in Wendall. MA, which is less than an hour from here and so qualifies as “local,” and how her 200mm lens didn’t quite get her close enough for keeper photos.  Perhaps, she thought, my 400mm Gizmo might be more appropriate for the job.

Well, I went there and found the nests, and though the light was behind them, got a few shots worth sharing.

A tree with three nests and two sitting moms-to be:

There were a number of nests with sitting birds, which I’ll guess were the females, while another set of birds flew about, landing on other nests and branches:

My sense was that these were the males, though I’m no ornithologist.   I graciously assumed they were patrolling the perimeters, rather than dodging their parental responsibilities.  At any rate, they were beautiful to watch:

They were backlit, meaning they weren’t colorful, but they had strong lines.

And, as it turned out, their beaks were translucent, and positively glowed in that backlight:

I was happy with the shots from this first visit, but I think I need to see it at/near sunrise, which means getting there in the pre-dawn pall and setting up before the action commences.

That’s awfully early, but I’ll try.  I think the shots may be worth it.