Birding Longboat Key, Florida
...I'm going to go ahead and post these gorgeous photos of one of my favorite birds. I didn't take these photos. Nope. I was out looking for Oystercatchers. Rick the Reluctant Birder took these shots. Seems he's not so reluctant when the subject stands three feet away with an azure sea as a backdrop and a sparkling blue sky overhead...
I'm a prehistoric beauty. I've looked this way for over 1.8 millions years...don't mess with perfection.
There's no denying the colors and detail in these photos are fantastic, and I'm jealous. RRB is a technical photographer. He knows how to use all the gizmos and settings. He can lock up the mirror and actually knows what that means. I tend to use The Force when I photograph, feeling out a shot and ignoring the settings (just like a good little Jedi should).
Grrr. I hate it when math and technicalness win...
...love that foot. Its structure is so cool.
He makes me think of Lurch here (Yoga Lurch doing a perfect tree).
You rang?
This shot has more of a Count Dracula feel...
...love looking at the feathers. This is a cool shot, Rick!
Have to agree they're exceptional photos! Congrats to the artiste...but I think the writer has captured the moments perfectly too...so congrats to the other artiste too (that would be you pal!)
ReplyDeleteOK tell he Rick he rocks. But don't let it get to this head Kelly because you do a great job all the time. Thanks. Carol
ReplyDeleteThese are the most amazing heron shots that I've ever seen. Breathtaking!!!
ReplyDeleteAre these the one he took the morning I was there? I don't think they are. Just the same they're gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteI love the to straight-on shots with his foot raised!
Wow! How did he get that Heron to stand still with him so close? Up here those buggers fly off of you get within 20 feet! Good job.
ReplyDeleteWow, they are all cool shots. Rick is awesome!
ReplyDeletegreat shots!!! Great work, Rick! ah, Long Boat Key!
ReplyDeleteMy gosh the photos kept getting better and better, and better... even though the first one was perfect...how can that be. Beautiful photos, but that's what I see in every post here, Kelly!
ReplyDelete♥...Wanda
Superb shots!! The head-on one makes the heron look like a wizened wizard missing just the spectacles on his beak.
ReplyDeleteThose are great photos! Lovely bird as well.
ReplyDeleteSo cute - love the hairstyle. Tell RRB we think he's great, and maybe he'll become a less reluctant birder
ReplyDeleteRick sure took some good ones! Thanks for sharing them with us!
ReplyDeleteWow that's a gorgeous bird!!! Good Job Rick!
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos, Kelly.... Tell Rick that he can join our club now!!!!! ha ha
ReplyDeleteSome of those pictures made me laugh outloud... Such a funny bird....
Thanks so much... I loved all of the pictures.
Hugs,
Betsy
Those are amazing shots.
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally get the 'lurch' vision as well!!!!
These are incredible photos! I loved Lurch Yoga. Too funny!
ReplyDeleteWow i have to agree too, these are splendid shots. The background is gorgeous but the eye detail is the one that got me!! Wow perfect! I guess Rick is starting to enjoy birdie pictures ;-)
ReplyDeleteWho have thought Rick would turn into a bird photographer?
ReplyDeleteI love the 'hair-do' on Lurch!
Can he do that kind of shooting for Warblers Kelly :-)
ReplyDeleteI bet Great Blue Herons just love being photographed; they just look like they're showing off in photos. (p.s., if it's any consolation; I've given up using my own photos on my site altogether and I just use those taken by my camera geek husband!)
ReplyDeleteWell Kelly, this is what happens when you let these Reluctant Birders loose out in the bird world. The bird comes up and asks for the shots to be taken.{:)
ReplyDeleteFabulous images.
Hi Kelly. Please tell 'Rich the Reluctant' these are FABulous...but it was only 3 feet away!! After seeing these I was thinking of giving up but I think I'll follow your lead and stick with 'The Force'..in other words, point, press and hope! Cheers FAB.
ReplyDeleteThese are superb images Kelly. Rick certainly knows his way round a camera.
ReplyDeleteStunning - your captions made me smile too!
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos! thanks to Rick..and to you for posting!
ReplyDeleteJealous doesn't begin to cover the emotions I am feeling. I'd kill to be able to get shots like that, but I am struck dumb by their beauty, and glad I was privileged to see them. My sincere congratulations to a master photographer!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could get within three feet of these beauties. Excellent photos! Great job Rick!
ReplyDelete...thanks, everyone! Maybe this will convince RRB to get out and bird more with me. He told me the fellow seemed to be waiting around for payment and later in the afternoon, he saw a fisherman flipping him bait. He also said the heron was about 6 feet from him...not three. 6 or 3...it's a miracle in Cincinnati if they sit 150 feet away! Maybe I'll walk around with bait the next time...
ReplyDeleteFantastic shots!! Didn't you know Kelly....birds always come closer to non-birders.
ReplyDeleteOh.my.goodnes ~ these are FANTASTIC! Kudos to Rick!! and thank you for posting them :)
ReplyDeletewow, wow, wow!
ReplyDeleteGreat series of photos. I love herons too. Thanks for sharing even if you didn't take them yourself.
ReplyDeleteWow, awesome, terrific, great!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Kelly!
Hi Kelly, love the 360 coverage on the Great Blue Heron.
ReplyDelete