Great blue herons are pretty common around the Upper Valley. All three of the loons’ ponds host great blues each year. Over the years, I’ve gotten a number of good shots of them. I’m pondering a ‘Heronscapes’ exhibit and have been digging through the archives to see what I’ve got. Let’s take a look.
The Hartland, VT, Public Library will host me to present my slideshow, An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon, this Wednesday, November 6 at 6 p.m. Free and everyone welcome. My print exhibit of loons is hanging in the Library through the end of November.
And my 2025 calendar is available:
The calendars are large – 9″x12″ with 13 of my favorite wildlife images. They’re $25 and $3 shipping per order. You can get one on my site: https://www.ianclark.com/.
On to the herons.
Most of the time, we spot great blue herons foraging along the shore of a river or pond. They can stand incredibly still before striking with lighting speed. They don’t seem fussy about prey. They’ll grab fish, crayfish, frogs, small birds and mammals. After we take the hay in our field, we get a pair of herons that show up to hunt the mice and voles. This heron has nabbed a crayfish.
Foraging in shallow water on the Weston’s Pond.
Flying past the reeds on the Easton’s Pond.
Herons will perch in trees overlooking the water. This probably gives protection from many of their predators.
Herons are smart enough to know where the sun will first hit their territory in the morning. On chilly mornings, they’re often perched to catch the earliest light.
Herons nest in rookeries, with nests high in trees. Most of the nests in this rookery were 25-30 feet above the ground. I’ve seen reports that they’ll build as high as 100 feet high.
A clutch is usually between three and six eggs. They grow into funny looking chicks. I suspect they were designed by Jim Henson.
A nice portrait of parent and chick.
Foraging in the early morning light on the Eastons’ Pond. I often joke that the herons on the Eastons’ Pond are skittish, but pose nicely twice a year. This year they outdid themselves, giving me extra opportunities.
Here’s one of the herons on the Eastons’ Pond ignoring the early morning light. But, this was July 2 and we weren’t chilly.
Another early morning shot on the Eastons’ Pond.
Wading in shallow water as the sun rises.
Another morning on the Eastons’ Pond.
This morning wasn’t an easy one for our heron to find breakfast. He? moved around to several spots before I saw him catch a meal.
Many of my favorite shots are actually from before sun up. I love the muted light and fog.
Heading out to get on with the day. I almost passed on this shot. I was much closer to the heron when I noticed him. I turned the kayak around and headed back up pond to get far enough back for some scenery. Fortunately, the bird waited while I moved and sat waiting for the water to quiet again.
One of our herons stretching as the sun begins to warm the pond.
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