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Monday, December 9, 2013

Jackpot!

Very seldom do I have the chance to photograph the tricolored heron. Did you know this bird used to be called the Louisiana Heron? Double D spotted this one with his binoculars at LSU Lakes on December 1. This industrious bird had found his fortune at the pond in the middle of the golf course.

Dodging golf balls, I let nothing deter me. At one point we stood in between two live oak trees to avoid getting hit in the head. The golfers were very gracious; however, I think I may have let my disdain for them show by sighing and making grumpy faces. As we left I noticed a big sign that said "GOLFERS ONLY ALLOWED ON GOLF COURSE." I felt like an entitled arse with my high powered camera. Bad Gail! Don't judge, you would've done the same! lol

Because my little subject was so unafraid, and didn't seem to mind a nutty camera woman recording his every move, over 400 images of just him ended up on my memory card. He caught so many fish I lost count.



At first we thought this heron wasn't quite right in the head. He twirled around in the water and performed like a ballerina at times. But each time he came up with a fish, minnow or other prey. Double D and I were laughing at him, yet we had to admit that his tactics were successful. Turns out, this is exactly how they hunt for prey. We really should have videoed him; he was a hoot!





Out of 400+ I kept 73 images. There are eight on this post. I am determined that all of them will make it to my blog, so you might be seeing him well into 2014. Thank you in advance for your patience! :)

Linking with Anni at I'd Rather B Birdin'. Please check out the links if you have time.

41 comments:

  1. Elizabeth EdwardsDecember 9, 2013 at 5:30 AM

    awesome!! wow, so glad you got the opportunity to get this beauty. what great colors. ( :

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  2. betty-NZDecember 9, 2013 at 5:31 AM

    You sound like me with so many photos! These are just wonderful shots. They are so clear and the heron is gorgeous!

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  3. eileeninmdDecember 9, 2013 at 5:46 AM

    Gail, lucky you. The Tri-colored heron is gorgeous. Your photos are awesome. I love the twirling and the beautiful reflections. I am glad you did not get hit with a golf ball. Have a happy day and week ahead!

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  4. HelmaDecember 9, 2013 at 6:14 AM


    Truly beautiful just!
    I've never seen it. Heron itself I know that there are flying in the Netherlands, but I never them.
    Beautiful series with beautiful colors and details and also with fish in its beak.
    compliments




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  5. Rosemary AubutDecember 9, 2013 at 6:27 AM

    Pure art Gail! You captured the true spirit of this wonderful bird! Awesome!

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  6. Optimistic ExistentialistDecember 9, 2013 at 6:35 AM

    He's a true beauty!! What a spectacular bird.

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  7. Author R. Mac WheelerDecember 9, 2013 at 6:47 AM


    purdy

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  8. AnvilcloudDecember 9, 2013 at 6:51 AM

    I didn't know there was such a heron. Which proves how little I do know. You are brave to trespass onto private property to get a shot ... er ... 400 shots.

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  9. AnvilcloudDecember 9, 2013 at 6:51 AM

    Oh ... I like the twirling photo. Nice catch.

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  10. Amy BurzeseDecember 9, 2013 at 7:33 AM

    Golfers, smolfers. Wonderful opportunity and I'm glad you took advantage of it. He is a beautiful creature! Looking forward to seeing him weekly (at least).

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  11. Hootin AnniDecember 9, 2013 at 7:48 AM

    Phenomenal!!! They're one of my favorites. I do hope that you can have a chance to see some more, especially during breeding season...they're colors are out of this world beautiful during breeding season.

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  12. Hootin AnniDecember 9, 2013 at 7:49 AM

    ps....bad me....that should be 'their' colors not they're. O lordy.

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  13. rainfield61December 9, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    Oh no, the heron just cannot understand the sign.

    It is not a golfer.

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  14. TexWisGirlDecember 9, 2013 at 9:02 AM

    i'm all for it! SOOO envious!!! even if you did tromp all over golfers territory and have attitude about it, too. :)

    i've heard about their dance - very cool! i LOVE the reflection shot - i think it is #6. wowza...

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  15. TexWisGirlDecember 9, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    p.s. rainfield ALWAYS sees the other side of things. :)

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  16. TexWisGirlDecember 9, 2013 at 9:06 AM

    me, again. just like i do whistler wednesdays, you might need to do tri-color tuesdays to use up your backlog o' pics. :)

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  17. AnonymousDecember 9, 2013 at 9:40 AM

    Awesome captures Gail, I love them all. The herons reflection is extra spectacular.

    I've only seen one heron spread its wings while stalking. I thought it might blocked the water reflection and helped them see the fish better.

    Can't wait to see the other 392 shots you captured :)

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  18. Linda at To Behold The BeautyDecember 9, 2013 at 9:42 AM

    This was definitely worth confronting some angry golfers. The shots are wonderful. I love the spread-wing and reflection pictures. Such a colorful bird, with such a long neck. And an unusual method of fishing. I think you're going to have to make another trip to the golf course for some video. :)

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  19. KarenDecember 9, 2013 at 10:07 AM

    Oh Gail what marvellous shots! He's a beauty!

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  20. StarlaDecember 9, 2013 at 10:35 AM

    Great shots!! I love the one with the reflection of the heron in the water

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  21. Anni December 9, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    ...must mention that the water droplets is MY favorite.

    Glad to know you enjoy the Birdin' meme for the weekend. Hope you share some more of these tri-colored.

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  22. EG CameraGirlDecember 9, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    How exciting! I'm afraid I might have been very bad too because capturing a tricolored heron with my lens would indeed be very, VERY special!

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  23. hootnonnyDecember 9, 2013 at 11:08 AM

    Lucky you and us! Glad you didn't get booted off the golf course. Maybe they were lobbing the balls to entice you to leave!

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  24. Evelyn S.December 9, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    What a colorful heron! You are lucky those golfers were kind that day! I especially like the image of the heron isolated against the background and water.

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  25. UnknownDecember 9, 2013 at 12:44 PM

    A very handsome bird! I can't wait to see more photos of him.

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  26. AnonymousDecember 9, 2013 at 3:09 PM

    Indeed he was a hoot and a marvelous find. Glad you were not hit in the head. Dianne

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  27. AnonymousDecember 9, 2013 at 3:22 PM

    He's a beautiful bird. No wonder you snapped so many shots of him. Must.ve been fun to watch him fish!

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  28. Coloring Outside the LinesDecember 9, 2013 at 4:09 PM

    Awesome sighting- what a beautiful bird & gorgeous shots!

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  29. HilaryDecember 9, 2013 at 4:16 PM

    He's a stunning creature. What a great find and series of captures. And yes, I would have done exactly the same. Silly golfers. ;)

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  30. UnknownDecember 9, 2013 at 4:32 PM

    Such amazing shots my friend. I Love the one with the reflection. But they are all fabulous. Can't wait to see more of them..

    Hugs~

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  31. renae December 9, 2013 at 4:41 PM

    Gail, you sure are hilarious in this post. Thanks for your support of my inspirational messages (they are way faster to post than a photo shoot) instead of a photo shoot on Mondays for a while. Simple Sequins is trying to simplify my life rather than complicate it huh?
    (hug) to you always.

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  32. bethDecember 9, 2013 at 5:36 PM

    show us the rest !!!
    OMG...these are amazing photos !!!!

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  33. Brian KingDecember 9, 2013 at 5:46 PM

    Fantastic photos! Of course, we don't have these guys in this part of the country, but I've always liked the plumage of Tri-colored Herons even more than Great Blues. It's always nice when they aren't too skittish. Glad you didn't get knocked out! :-)

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  34. Ruth HiebertDecember 9, 2013 at 6:39 PM

    I am sure glad you didn't see that sign until later.These images are worth all the effort.

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  35. AnonymousDecember 9, 2013 at 9:02 PM

    Jackpot, for sure! What a beauty. Thank you for risking your life to get these!!!

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  36. DeannaDecember 9, 2013 at 10:40 PM

    Oh what a delight he must have been. You certainly captured some great images. I will definitely look forward to seeing more in 2014!!

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  37. AnonymousDecember 9, 2013 at 10:43 PM

    What amazing colouring! Gorgeous gorgeous shots.

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  38. DeniseinVADecember 9, 2013 at 10:56 PM

    Great shots of this beautiful heron Gail. Those reflection pics are fantastic.

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  39. SuzanDecember 10, 2013 at 3:11 PM

    Fun shots!! Lovely heron - healthy heron!!

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  40. Sallie (FullTime-Life)December 10, 2013 at 3:57 PM

    That was EXACTLY what we said the first time we saw one 'that bird isn't quite right in the head' I think were our actual words. And then went home to identify it and read ...(I never remember to take my guidebooks with me). Anyway, it was a fun way to learn and the info will certainly stay with me! Thanks for the pictures!!!

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  41. PallaviDecember 10, 2013 at 7:02 PM

    The shots are just beautiful dear Gail :) I love how the colors reflect in the water below. Such handsome birds :)

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