Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Great Blue Heron mug shots...

Birding Longboat Key, Florida

...you know I can never resist a head-on shot. What a mug!

I don't think the colors in this photo are nearly as nice as those in Rick's photos (click here for that post), but they make great mug shots! ;-)

...could you look the other direction now Mr. Blue? Thank you.

This guy was incredible, and obviously soooo NOT from Ohio. He stood and posed and then posed some more. In Cincinnati, he would have squawked and flew off in mortal terror if I had even turned my head towards him at 100 feet. I found him next to my car in the parking lot at the Quick Point Nature Preserve. He almost seemed to greet me with a smile as I walked toward the car. After our photo shoot, I climbed in the car, and he was still standing there when I looked in the rear-view mirror when I left! I love Florida birds...

...am I dragging this Longboat Key trip out or what!! These photos are from back in April, but they're fun, so I thought I'd squeeze them in. For all the Longboat Key bird photos, click here.
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30 comments:

  1. Laure FerlitaJune 9, 2010 at 3:38 PM

    LOVE those shots, Kelly!! Fabulous!!

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  2. Betsy Banks AdamsJune 9, 2010 at 3:57 PM

    Beautiful shots of the Heron, Kelly... All I can think of when seeing that little guy are the ones who are drenched in oil out in the Gulf... SO SAD.

    Check my blog if you have time. I have a request pertaining to a blog friend who has lost her husband (died suddenly at age 60).

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  3. Kathy A. JohnsonJune 9, 2010 at 4:50 PM

    Fantastic shots--what a personality he seems to have! The Florida birds (and people) would love to have you back for another visit.

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  4. elvira pajarolaJune 9, 2010 at 4:58 PM

    SENSATIONAL...!
    GORGEOUS photography of this majestic blue Heron......All this wonderful colours and the light in his yellow eyes.......!!!!
    He looks just a little "serious" in the camera....?

    ciao ciao elvira

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  5. AnonymousJune 9, 2010 at 5:59 PM

    That is one ugly mug Kelly.{:)

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  6. MontanagirlJune 9, 2010 at 6:31 PM

    Fabulous! I'm so jealous that you got that close. LOL. Wonderful, just terrific shots.

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  7. GinnymoJune 9, 2010 at 7:09 PM

    Wow! Beautiful shots Kelly!!

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  8. CindyJune 9, 2010 at 7:30 PM

    Wonderful photography. I especially love the last one, Sharon.

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  9. UnknownJune 9, 2010 at 8:40 PM

    WOW! That is the most amazing shot of a GBH I've ever seen. Great capture!

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  10. RichardJune 9, 2010 at 8:41 PM

    Wonderful shots Kelly. I had to laugh at the first one...kind of reminded me of my first look in the mirror in the morning.

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  11. AndrewJune 9, 2010 at 10:57 PM

    Awesome photos! That first one is my favorite!

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  12. Claire MJune 9, 2010 at 11:53 PM

    Wow you take awesome photos! and you found a very cooperative model!

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  13. UnknownJune 10, 2010 at 1:31 AM

    Great shots!! Especially that first one. A face only a mother...

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  14. Tammie LeeJune 10, 2010 at 2:22 AM

    Kelly! This is incredible. Amazing how close you were able to be!

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  15. Garden LilyJune 10, 2010 at 2:33 AM

    That first shot is striking - such an unusual angle for viewing a heron. Nice detail in all 3.

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  16. ElaineJune 10, 2010 at 2:54 AM

    Terrific portraits, Kelly! You gotta love birds that hang around for a photo shoot like that.

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  17. KynaJune 10, 2010 at 8:05 AM

    That first photo is great. That what my husband looks like when he first wakes up in the morning :P

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  18. Out on the prairieJune 10, 2010 at 9:05 AM

    Laughed when I was on the Gulf in March how close I could get to the herons , where here in Iowa it is a hard shot.

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  19. grammie gJune 10, 2010 at 9:17 AM

    Standing aside """Grim Reeper""" I'm taking you place!!!

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  20. Janice KJune 10, 2010 at 10:06 AM

    That "head-on" shot was something else....Do you suppose he was having a "bad-hair day?"

    Those close ups are awesome.

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  21. MichaelaJune 10, 2010 at 12:57 PM

    Really cool shots! Love them! :)

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  22. Ken.June 10, 2010 at 2:26 PM

    Hi Kelly.
    Until you see a Heron head on, you don't realise what a fierce loking bird it is.
    Love the photo's though.

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  23. Susan EllisJune 11, 2010 at 6:57 AM

    kind of perfect for that bad hair day feeling! Our herons here are also way too wild to put up with humans...great shots as usual Kelly!

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  24. JennyJune 11, 2010 at 3:07 PM

    Stonking shots Kelly. It's sooo nice when something co-operates for a change! Mind you, it's also fun sometimes when you have to work for a shot too! (-:

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  25. ShelleyJune 11, 2010 at 5:10 PM

    These are incredible and fabulous closeups!! The Blue Heron has such a handsome face! Well done!

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  26. KellyJune 11, 2010 at 10:50 PM

    ...thanks, everyone! These Florida GBHs make it easy! Thank goodness some of them do!

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  27. Sarah KnightJune 12, 2010 at 9:21 AM

    Wow, those are awesome shots, especially with the truncated perspective!

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  28. Midmarsh JohnJune 13, 2010 at 4:56 PM

    Really great mug shots.

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  29. AnonymousJune 14, 2010 at 12:49 PM

    I was warned by pro photographer to bring a short lens because of the tamenss of the herons and egrets. These photos are too much fun!

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  30. Kathie BrownJune 19, 2010 at 6:27 PM

    Amazing! Wonderful shots!

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