Picture Of The Week 05-21-07

Great Blue Heron
(Ardea herodias)

Where: Richmond, VA • James River Notes: The riverfront that runs through the heart of Virginia's state capitol has become an unexpected favorite of mine to go birding. While sitting on a rock at the edge of the rapids that morning, I had become mesmerized by several of these sizeable Herons (about four feet tall with nearly a six foot wingspan). They were fishing in the waters adjacent their nesting colony or "rookery". Each bird seemed to have claimed a small portion of the river as their own fishing spot. One bird would chase off another, if it crossed what seemed an invisible property line. One Heron in particular caught my attention when it began leaping head first into the river from the bolder it had claimed for a perch. It used this Kamikaze approach several times and with good success. Normally a "Great Blue" will spear fish while wading in the water, keeping its plumage dry. Never had I seen a Heron of any kind dive completely into the water like this and certainly not into swiftly moving current.

Equipment: Canon EOS D20 • Canon 100-400mm Zoom L Series Lens • Hand Held

Exposure: Shutter Speed = 1/250 second • Aperture = f 7.1 • Exposure Mode = Aperture • Lens (Focal) Length = 375 mm • ISO = 400 • Aprox. Camera Distance = ~50 Feet • Date Shot: 05-05-07

©2007 Robert W. Schamerhorn. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.

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This photograph is available on archival premium luster photopaper. Quality prints come signed by the artist, matted (white) with backing board and clear protective polypak. Satisfaction Guaranteed or Full Refund. A portion of the proceeds goes to support avian habitat conservation efforts.

Larger sizes can be custom ordered and printed using a high resolution seven color ink process on matte finished photo stock: 12" x 18", 16" x 20", 18" x 24" and 20" x 24' See ADDITIONAL PRINT SIZES for more information.

Great Blue Heron (No. 8335) - Size: 8" x 10" • Signed Print with 11" x 14" White Matte • S&H Included
Item: GBHE(_MG_8335)8X10 . . . $39.95

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