Wednesday I paid two short visits to the West Lebanon Wetlands behind Walmart hoping to photograph a Least Bittern again. I was time limited both visits, and the bitterns did not cooperate. However, I did get some great closeup looks at a Green Heron, although some were not in its natural environment.
In the morning I got a brief look at a Great Blue Heron far out in the pond. I guess it was unhappy with my presence, as it flew.
In the afternoon I saw nothing at the pond, so I decided to take a short walk. When I returned, a heron was along the far shore. When I’m photographing I don’t bother to confirm species IDs, I shoot first and know I can always study my photos later. But I had a suspicion this was not a Least Bittern.
After a few moments it flew — toward me. I squeezed off a number of shots as I followed it. Here are five of them.
It disappeared from sight into the green vegetation. I hoped it would soon emerge, but I had an appointment across the river in Vermont so I could not wait long. I set the alarm on my phone for 25 minutes and knew I needed to dash for my car when it went off. With 4 minutes left, the juvenile Green Heron emerged. It was clear at this stage it was not a Least Bittern.
It again flew toward me, a short distance, and perched on a snag for about one minute.
From the snag it decided to visit the back of Walmart. I’m not sure what the attraction was, but it was a quiet and sunny spot. Good front light for photography, if it wasn’t for the unnatural background.
I slowly crept closer with my heavy tripod and lens. The heron didn’t seem to mind my approach.
To the left is an uncropped photo.
This was an uncommonly beautiful bird and, although the background was man-made, it was less cluttered than the natural background of the pond.
Below are 7 of the photos I took as I overstayed my allotted time by about 5 minutes.
I made my appointment just in time. Then at home another juvenile bird greeted me — this time a Broad-winged Hawk.
