PHOTOS: Heron party at the reservoir

by susan on August 13, 2010

When I stopped by the reservoir off Middle Road earlier this week to take photos of the algae bloom, I got lucky. As I pulled up I saw four great blue herons hanging out by the water. I’ve seen one or maybe two herons from time to time at the reservoir, but never have I seen four at once.

I got some photos of their gallivanting. The shots aren’t quite as crisp as I would have liked, but I was grateful to have gotten them at all. Click to enlarge.

{ 6 comments }

1 nancy August 13, 2010 at 6:29 PM

those are fantastic! I’m so jealous I wasn’t there.

2 susan August 13, 2010 at 8:06 PM

I wish you had been there, too. I can only imagine the amazing shots you would have taken!

3 carrie alpert August 13, 2010 at 6:31 PM

really beautiful Susan, wish i could have seen them in person! gallivanting is a good word choice, they do look rather frisky. great shots, thanks for sharing!

4 susan August 13, 2010 at 8:05 PM

I couldn’t believe how long they stuck around. Usually my glimpses of herons are fleeting. This time I could have pulled up a lawn chair to watch the show!

5 Cynthia Hohenberger August 13, 2010 at 10:34 PM

I live on Parkerville Road with the view of the town pond in our backyard. A blue heron flies in every day; sometimes I’ve seen two. The interesting thing is that one of them frequently flies into our yard and stealthily walks about hunting chipmunks. We seem to have an overabundance of these little critters this year! When the heron is ready to strike, his long neck undulates like a snake and then he works his beak until the chipmunk’s head is in his mouth; then off he flies to the pond to eat his prey. Often, the heron is back for more hunting in ten minutes. I was really surprised by this behavior since herons normally go after frogs when not fishing!

6 John Kendall August 14, 2010 at 10:53 AM

Great pics Susan. I think that it’s wonderful that the herons are making such a comeback.

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