Monday, August 1, 2011

When a Little Blue Heron puffs up...

...he really puts on a show! Of all the herons, the Little Blue seems to be most dramatic in his displays. He goes from mild mannered (almost dull) to spectacular in a single breath!


...puffed up and in full breeding plumage, a Little Blue Heron creates a huge splash of color and drama...

...ominous...

...contemplative...


...our mild-mannered Little Blue Heron's alter ego can not be held in check!


...a guardian among birds...


...able to leap anything he wants to!


...until he finally slips back into his mild-mannered Clark Kent in feathers character.


Photographed on 6/8/2011 at the Ibis Pond Rookery on Pinckney Island (Hilton Head, SC).
Click here for all the 2011 Pinckney Island posts.
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45 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlAugust 1, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    oh, this is great! loved it! he is quite the handsome caped/plumed crusader!

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  2. Lois EvensenAugust 1, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    He appears to be saying, "Here I am Babe! Love me!" :)

    Wonderful images!!!!

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  3. Laure FerlitaAugust 1, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    He reminds me of a Muppet! Love the preening poses he's striking. What fun!

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  4. FABAugust 1, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    Astonishing change in its character. Definitely a case of flashing the feathers. Gorgeous shots Kelly.

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  5. MontanagirlAugust 1, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    Kelly these are fabulous! He's like Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde!!

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  6. Kathy A. JohnsonAugust 1, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    Wonderful series of pictures, Kelly! He's a beauty, and so impressive!

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  7. AnonymousAugust 1, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Your wading bird photos are always amazing. Thanks once again for sharing them with us.

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  8. grammie gAugust 1, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    HI Kelly... Looks like a commercial for freeze hair spray..."go from flat to punk and then back in no time at all" lol
    Really is a fantastic amazing colorful bird!!
    Your photo are splendid!

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  9. Janice KAugust 1, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    Oh, WoW! Amazing that is the same bird. I love his colors and his colorful personality.

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  10. RoyAugust 1, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    What a transformation Kelly.
    Such an unusual colour as well.

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  11. Jennifer MacNeillAugust 1, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    WOW! What an amaing bird! Fabulous shots:)

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  12. TimareeAugust 1, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    What a beautiful bird! You ought to be making a book with a photo on one side of the page and an artful rendition of yours on the opposite side. What a great book that would make along with a few notes about the birds with the photo and a few hints about the art on the other. This would appeal to bird lovers, photographers, art journalers and artists in general!

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  13. Pam Johnson BrickellAugust 1, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    Love the drama you caught here! Certainly can be in the picture dictionary under 'Don't get your feathers all riled up!'

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  14. holdingmomentsAugust 1, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    Amazing shots Kelly. He looks a different bird in the last one.

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  15. RoyAugust 1, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Great shots, Kelly! I've seen plenty of these beauties up in Newport, but never all puffed up in full mating dance.

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  16. SueAugust 1, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    I would never have believed that was the same bird. Incredible!

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  17. Banjo52August 1, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    Another great education here. I met these guys at Sanibel last winter, but I sure didn't see anything like this.

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  18. DebbieAugust 2, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    he is quite impressed with himself!!

    he looks completely different in that last shot!!

    excellent!!!

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  19. ElaineAugust 2, 2011 at 2:55 AM

    Exquiste shots, Kelly! And the Little Blue Heron is so beautiful and amazing--I never would have believed it was the same bird. Your analogy fits just perfectly.

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  20. Dan HuberAugust 2, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    fantastic photos Kelly, what a character :)

    dan

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  21. AnonymousAugust 2, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    It's hard to believe it is the same bird.

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  22. Alan PaveyAugust 2, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    What a great set of pics. I think I saw one in Texas a few years ago and thought nice bird, I would have been blown away by that display though!! :-)

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  23. GuyAugust 2, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    Hi Kelly

    What absolutely wonderful colours. You captured the contrast beautifully.

    Guy

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  24. UnknownAugust 2, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Fantastic photos! Beautiful bird!

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  25. Wanda.....August 2, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    Beautiful photos, Kelly...you truly deserve some type of Photography Award.

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  26. AnonymousAugust 2, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    Beautiful photos Kelly.

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  27. Carol MattinglyAugust 2, 2011 at 8:04 PM

    Gorgeous Kelly.

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  28. Cicero SingsAugust 2, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    What a difference between puffed up and regular!

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  29. Vanessa MickanAugust 3, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    This made my morning!

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  30. Adrienne ZwartAugust 3, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Loved this series, Kelly! Such personality!

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  31. UnknownAugust 3, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    You must be having so much FUN!!! Going to check out the rest of your series.

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  32. cindyzlogicAugust 3, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    WoW!! I should say...gorgeous shots!! Love the color when they fluff!!

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  33. CarolineAugust 4, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    What a splendid bird - fab pics, as ever!

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  34. Tammie LeeAugust 5, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    wow, wow! Look at that character! I loved seeing your captures, amazing. lovely day to you Kelly.

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  35. JennyAugust 5, 2011 at 3:40 PM

    Stunning Kelly! I've missed your amazing photos. Will hope to be back fully into blogging mode now! (-:

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  36. JeniAugust 5, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    WOW!!! What wonderful pictures. That bird has something to say that's for sure!

    BTW - I put some images of my daughters art on my blog. She will be attending CCAD this fall! The images are from her entrance portfolio requirements.

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  37. AndyAugust 6, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    All puffed up really enhances the photo. Excellent!

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  38. KellyAugust 6, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    ...thanks everyone for all the kind and fun comments! The difference between puffed and regular is remarkable with this heron. I love it when they puff! :-) I'm always amazed at how small this bird is, but he makes such a huge impact through the lens!

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  39. PennyAugust 7, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    He is beautiful when he is puffed up.

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  40. Kerri FarleyAugust 7, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    He is absolutely stunning! What a "prehistoric" look he has - I can certainly see why some think birds evolved from dinos.

    Wonderful Wonderful post!

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  41. UnknownAugust 7, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    Those are really nice.Thanks.

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  42. AnonymousAugust 8, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    LOL - awesome series!

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  43. AnonymousAugust 12, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    These are fantastic shots. Just wonderful.

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  44. LoisMarch 14, 2012 at 7:03 PM

    You are so right about the little blue heron. I know we have them once in awhile . Now I just hope I will see one. what an amazing performance.

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  45. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2020 at 5:47 PM

    Wow, are those gorgeous shots! And love Clarke Kent at the end, LOL

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