Tag Archives: Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

By jimblock | Published May 25, 2012

While trying to photograph something else recently, several Great Blue Herons put on a show. For years I tried to get decent photos of GBHs, mainly from our canoe as Jann and I paddled local lakes and rivers. I got a few, not many,  and burned a lot of  slide film  in the process. Then we traveled to Florida and found the GBHs there quite used to people and very easy to photograph. I quickly realized the world had more GBH photos than it could reasonably absorb. Nonetheless, when the opportunity presents itself I still photograph this large and interesting  bird.

Here is a brief sequence of an approach and landing on a nest.

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And here is another heron who decides it is time to give its feathers a good fluffing.

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Exploring Andover on Mountain Bike

By jimblock | Published August 27, 2011

I’ve used my mountain bike to explore Andover, NH a number of times in the last month. I was largely unfamiliar with Andover so much of what I saw was new to me. I  discovered that this town is filled with variety and beauty. I carried a Panasonic LX5 camera, and almost all the photos here were taken with it.

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Loon, Hawk, Cormorant, Mallard, and GBH

By jimblock | Published August 9, 2011

Big Birds in Burkehaven and a few on the lake.

The strange-colored loon that has been on Lake Sunapee for two years made an appearance.  It is likely just an immature common loon that is inland when it should be still in the ocean waiting to mature.

And a cormorant sat in front of Loon Island Lighthouse, posing, while a great blue heron launched from Great Island.

Then there was the surprisingly tame broad-winged hawk in Burkehaven Harbor.

Finally a mallard also in Burkehaven Harbor that I couldn’t resist turning into a watercolor. The reddish water come from a reflection of  Burkehaven BoatWorks.

 

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Yellowlegs and Blue Heron

By jimblock | Published July 30, 2011

An adult Great Blue Heron has been hanging around the islands and points between Burkehaven and Blodgett Landing on Lake Sunapee the past month. Unlike many of its kind in this area, this one can be approached reasonably closely by canoe or kayak.

Two days ago a Greater Yellowlegs arrived to add color to the mix. Normally found in shallow-water habitats, these sandpipers are distinguished from other wading birds by  their bright yellow legs. There were few wading spots near the  islands but it seemed to enjoy standing on the rocks. This is a fairly rare siting for this time of year inland.

Here are some photos taken during an early morning kayak ride Jann and I took.

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