I photographed this Great Blue Heron poised for takeoff on March 27, 2024, at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. The bird crouched low on a dead tree limb near Horton Slough, its long legs tucked beneath it as it prepared to launch. I captured the moment just before it left the perch. It only flew a short distance before landing nearby.
While I would have liked to photograph the heron catching fish, this spot isn’t ideal for photography. Anglers use this area often, and with the sun rising, more people were on the way. I chose to let the heron keep its morning peace and continued exploring the refuge.
Why Great Blue Herons Are More Skittish This Time of Year
Interestingly, this is only the second Great Blue Heron I’ve been able to photograph at Sequoyah this year. While they’re usually the most frequent feathered subjects in my refuge photos, they seem particularly skittish lately. This might be due to the ongoing nesting season. Great Blue Herons typically lay eggs between March and April, with their young fledging by June or July. With any luck, come summertime, I might encounter more heron families as they become active near the water’s edge.
Looking Ahead to Summer Photography Opportunities
On a positive note, we’ve had some good spring rains this year, and the refuge has plenty of backwater areas for these birds to hunt. Once the water levels recede and the herons move closer to the auto-tour road, I’m confident I’ll have more opportunities to photograph these fascinating creatures. Stay tuned for future updates, and hopefully, some stunning close-ups of Great Blue Herons in their natural habitat!
Amazing capture, prize winner, you can feel the gathering momentum! Congrats!