Caught taking a Bath...

[brewmaster15]

I lucked out today taking pictures. It was pretty warm and there were alot of birds taking advantage of the warmth to do some bathing. I am used to seeing small birds like sparrows take a quick bath but never a stately Great Blue Heron!! This majestic bird rule the swamps and marshes and would never be caught playing in the water.

Never say Never!:)


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[brewmaster15]

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4866/45256054565_e5f49320a0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bX87jR)IMGP9500_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2bX87jR)


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4860/45444623524_3cb9c14d52_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2ceMziN)IMGP9545_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2ceMziN)


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4819/45444620624_1567b03eaa_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2ceMyrN)IMGP9546_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2ceMyrN)


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4892/45256048835_8e70a1dece_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bX85C4)IMGP9548 (https://flic.kr/p/2bX85C4)


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4860/45444613654_801808aed6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2ceMwnC)IMGP9559_02 (https://flic.kr/p/2ceMwnC)


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4879/46168687981_1bd0c722f2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dkLArK)IMGP9560_02 (https://flic.kr/p/2dkLArK)


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4908/46168685571_a47fcc448f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dkLzJc)IMGP9561_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2dkLzJc)


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4810/46168682781_ece6047144_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dkLyU6)IMGP9565_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2dkLyU6)


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4850/45256024705_713d7a5dd7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bX7Xs2)IMGP9566_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2bX7Xs2)


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4807/45256018825_dd01ba403f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bX7VGD)IMGP9571_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2bX7VGD)


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4916/45444596334_81442954c3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2ceMre1)IMGP9604_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2ceMre1)


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4918/45444592484_4a0c97468e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2ceMq5C)IMGP9618_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2ceMq5C)


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4859/46117666292_827a244e9f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dgg6ts)IMGP9620 (https://flic.kr/p/2dgg6ts)


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[brewmaster15]

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Unfortunately the sun was hard and contrasty. I did ok with it, but it was one of the few times I wished I had a better equipment. I shot these with my tamron 70-200 lens. I like this lens greatly but what I could have done with a bigger /better lens is definitely on my mind. Then again, its been that way since I started taking pics.:)


I did enjoy watching this Great Blue Heron bath. .. A bird watcher saw me shooting and stopped there to watch too. It was an unusual sight for sure, we both got a chuckle out of it. It reminded me of a puppy playing at a lake.

al

[Pices]

Wow-really great shots Al. I’ve never seen one bathing before.
Patty

[LizStreithorst]

Not just great pics, the sequence of them tells a story. I'm impressed.

[Second Hand Pat]

Oh man, you got lucky Al. I have never seen a great blue bath. Wonderful sequence of images...jealous :D
Pat

[danotaylor]

awesome shots Al. I have nominated image IMGP9497_01 for the next monthly contest!

[brewmaster15]

Thanks everyone! It had been a really slow day, I barely saw anything that really caught my eye for pics, and had resolved to just walk around a bit and enjoy the day. I was on my way out of the park and drove by a marshy area.. I've had good luck here in the past with wading birds and just glanced over as I drove by and saw this....


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I figured what the heck I might as well stop and see if I can get a shot or too. Its almost like The heron was looking out to see if the area was safe for a bath. :) I was lucky to have a small stand of cedars to hide behind. Our Herons are skittish here in CT. I think its because there are so few . I have been able to get much closer when there are more of them around. Safety in numbers I think. When I have been at rookeries or where they migrate to I have been able to stand right out in the open 10,20, 30 feet away. Not here which really is frustrating at times,







awesome shots Al. I have nominated image IMGP9497_01 for the next monthly contest!

And thank you Danny for the nomination!:)

[dagray]

Fantastic series Al.

Try KEH.com and see if they have the Sigma 50-500mm 1:6.3 lens in the Pentax mount. I bought mine used from them for about $900.00.

Dave

[brewmaster15]

Fantastic series Al.

Try KEH.com and see if they have the Sigma 50-500mm 1:6.3 lens in the Pentax mount. I bought mine used from them for about $900.00.

Dave

Thanks Dave, Glad you like the PIcs. I have looked at the Bigma ;) Its a great lens...I can't decide though if I want it or save my cash more and get the Pentax HD PENTAX D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 DC AW Lens

Its on sale right now, but at $1600 its not likely to happen.

I have a an old 500 4.5 SMC manual Lens, but its a tank and really hard to move around with. Sharp glass but juts not practical as a walk about lens.

al

[brewmaster15]

Flickr links removed ... info here. (http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?134194-All-Good-things-come-to-an-end-Flickr-changes-coming-and-they-are-not-good)