I photographed this Great Blue Heron regaining balance at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. It had missed whatever it was trying to catch. After lifting its head from the water, the bird used its wings to steady itself.
Heron Regaining Balance After a Missed Strike
You can see the disturbance in the water where the heron drove its bill. That patch of water helps explain the raised wings in my photo. I caught the moment after the strike, as the bird worked to regain its footing.
Great Blue Herons strike with speed and force when trying to catch a meal. In this case, the bird missed its target and lost its balance. I could not identify what it had tried to catch, so I cannot say whether it went after a fish.
The photo shows both parts of that moment: the disturbed water and the heron’s effort to steady itself. Its wings rise above its back while its long legs remain in the water.
Photographing the Heron at Sally Jones Causeway
I parked at Sally Jones Causeway for this photograph. During that summer, I returned to this spot to photograph Great Blue Herons.
Parking here can be difficult because the tour road has a narrow shoulder. Depending on the bird’s position, I sometimes have to move to let another vehicle pass. Most early mornings, I have the refuge to myself and do not need to move.
I took this photo at 8:06 a.m. By my usual routine, that was late for this area. I worried that another vehicle would come along and I would need to move.
Fortunately, I photographed the heron without having to change my position to let anyone through.
Another Great Blue Heron Balance Photo
I have photographed another awkward moment involving this species. In Great Blue Heron Slipping on Ice, you can see a different setting for a heron losing its footing.
Here at Sally Jones Causeway, a missed strike gave me a chance to photograph the bird using its wings for balance.