I photographed this Great Blue Heron in flight while sitting in my pickup along the shore of Charleston City Lake in Arkansas. I often use my truck as a mobile blind, and on this morning it paid off. A Great Blue Heron was wading in the shallow water nearby, focused on hunting fish and seemingly unfazed by my parked vehicle.
I watched the heron stalk the shallows for several minutes. Then, without warning, it launched into the air. I am not sure what triggered the takeoff. It may have been satisfied after feeding or simply reacting to something outside my view. Either way, the moment unfolded fast.
I rested my camera and lens on a bean bag positioned on the open window and instinct took over. As the heron gained altitude, I tracked it smoothly as it flew low over the lake. The angle was perfect. There was no splash, no cluttered background, and no distractions. Just clean water and the wide blue gray wings cutting across the frame.
I fired a short sequence as the bird passed directly in front of me. The result was a series of images that clearly show the power and grace of a Great Blue Heron in flight. Moments later, the heron glided toward a tall tree and disappeared from view. The entire encounter lasted only seconds, but it produced one of my favorite flight images from this location.
Wildlife Notes: Great Blue Heron in Flight
Great Blue Herons are large, heavy birds, but they are surprisingly agile once airborne. They usually take off with slow, deliberate wingbeats before settling into a steady rhythm. Seeing one fly low over open water offers a clear view of its wingspan and body structure, something that is easy to miss when they lift off farther away.
At Charleston City Lake, these herons are used to human activity and passing vehicles. That tolerance can sometimes create rare opportunities to observe and photograph natural behavior at close range, especially during feeding and takeoff.
Photography Notes: Capturing a Great Blue Heron in Flight
Flight photography often comes down to preparation and positioning. By staying inside my truck and keeping the camera ready, I was able to react instantly. Resting the lens on a bean bag helped stabilize the setup while still allowing smooth movement.
When photographing birds in flight at close range, I focus on maintaining a fast shutter speed and tracking the subject cleanly through the viewfinder. A simple background like open water makes it much easier to keep focus on the bird and avoid distractions.
Image Information:
- Date: 11/23/23
- Time: 08:39 AM
- Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
- Lens: Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM
- ISO: 640
- Aperture: f/5.6
- Shutter Speed: 1/1000
- Exposure Compensation: -1/3
- Focal Length: 500mm