Great Blue Heron...dancing???

[Dennis Zaebst]

I've never seen a GBH do this before...he was standing stock still for most of the morning, and all of a sudden, for no apparent reason, he started dashing about to and fro like a Reddish egret or a Tri-colored Heron. Their normal feeding behavior is to stand motionless and wait for the fish to come to them. I have a series of these, about 20, in different poses. C/C always appreciated.

Canon 1D IV...ISO 800; 500 mm f/4L IS; 1/3200 sec. @ f/8. PP in LR 4.3. Almost full frame except a little taken off the left and bottom for composition. A little bit of sharpening and clarity adjustment in post.

[Melissa Groo]

What neat behavior you've captured. Don't think I've seen a GBH do that before. Must have picked up a trick or two from watching the tricolored and reddish! ALthough maybe they're not even around. Where was this photographed?
Great light, sharpness, and detail. I love the feathers on the neck lifting up in the breeze. I could see more room above and below, as it feels slightly cramped to me. Super image.

[Dennis Zaebst]

Hi Melissa,

Thank you for your comments. This was taken at Ding Darling on January 24, last Thursday, at about 9:12 in the morning. It was at the second pool on the left as you enter the refuge. In fact there were reddish egrets and tri-colored herons around at the time. Maybe you're right that he picked up this trick from one of those birds...although I'm not sure he was any good at catching fish this way. After this bizarre behavior for a little while, he settled back down, and then flew off about 100 yards up the road, landed again, and resumed his usual very motionless and patient way of stalking.

Oh yes, I'll see what I can do about the room at top and bottom. I know I Have more room at the bottom, but may have to extend canvas at the top.

[Nick Palmieri]

Nice behavior captured. Bird looks sharp and well exposed. Nice BG. Another vote for some more room at the top.

[Dennis Zaebst]

I'm working on the first (original) photo, but here's another one from the series. Better wing spread, I think. Same exact shooting parameters; this one's about 90% FF. I almost wish there were a facility for posting a series of three or four images to capture the full behavior. Thanks for the comments so far.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Dennis - interesting behavior. I agree the wing position in the second is better and I like the reflected light. Both images are a little tight below for my taste. OP is tight on top as Melissa and Nick pointed out.

TFS,
Rachel

[Robert Holguin]

Excellent shot.
Love the unusual pose, nice details, really like the water reflections on the wings, and nice light.
Repost is much better.
Well done.

[gary ellwein]

Great action shot with all of the bird in focus. The selection of f8 was a good choice. Appreciate the history. I'm certain someone on this site will be able to explain the heron's behavior.

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent action captured.I like the pose, HA,colors,lights and beautiful blue water.

Regards,
Satish.

[Dennis Zaebst]

Thank you everyone for your comments. Here is a repost of the original with more room at the bottom, and I extended canvas at the top. I agree this is a better image.

Thanks again.

[Wynand van Wyk]

Ditto on the repost. Your repost looks even better then the original, which is difficult! Love the detail and pose!

Very well captured.

[Dennis Zaebst]

Thank you Wynand!