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.

45 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

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

Lois Evensen said...

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

Wonderful images!!!!

Laure Ferlita said...

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

FAB said...

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

Montanagirl said...

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

Kathy A. Johnson said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

grammie g said...

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!

Janice K said...

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

Roy said...

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

Jennifer MacNeill said...

WOW! What an amaing bird! Fabulous shots:)

Timaree said...

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!

Pam Johnson Brickell said...

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

holdingmoments said...

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

Roy said...

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

Sue said...

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

Banjo52 said...

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

Debbie said...

he is quite impressed with himself!!

he looks completely different in that last shot!!

excellent!!!

Elaine said...

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.

Dan Huber said...

fantastic photos Kelly, what a character :)

dan

Anonymous said...

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

Alan Pavey said...

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!! :-)

Guy said...

Hi Kelly

What absolutely wonderful colours. You captured the contrast beautifully.

Guy

Unknown said...

Fantastic photos! Beautiful bird!

Wanda..... said...

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

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos Kelly.

Carol Mattingly said...

Gorgeous Kelly.

Cicero Sings said...

What a difference between puffed up and regular!

Vanessa Mickan said...

This made my morning!

Adrienne Zwart said...

Loved this series, Kelly! Such personality!

Unknown said...

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

cindyzlogic said...

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

Caroline said...

What a splendid bird - fab pics, as ever!

Tammie Lee said...

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

Jenny said...

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

Jeni said...

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.

Andy said...

All puffed up really enhances the photo. Excellent!

Kelly said...

...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!

Penny said...

He is beautiful when he is puffed up.

Kerri Farley said...

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

Wonderful Wonderful post!

Unknown said...

Those are really nice.Thanks.

Anonymous said...

LOL - awesome series!

Anonymous said...

These are fantastic shots. Just wonderful.

Lois said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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