On a cold winter morning at City Lake in Charleston, Arkansas, I captured a Great Blue Heron swimming with a Shad. While this lake is a regular winter spot for me to photograph Bald Eagles fishing, this heron offered a moment too good to pass up.
I was in the parking lot with my camera and lens propped on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup. This setup gave me the stability I needed to focus on the heron’s graceful movements as it glided through the water with its catch.
Technical Details
- Location: City Lake, Charleston (Arkansas)
- Date & Time: December 31, 2013, at 9:22 A.M.
- Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III
- Lens: Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS
- Aperture: f/7.1
- Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec
- ISO: 320
- Exposure Compensation: 0
- Focal Length: 500mm
Notes on the Scene
The Great Blue Heron is always fascinating to watch, especially when it’s actively hunting or swimming with a catch. This one was particularly striking, with the Shad prominently visible in its beak. The lighting and conditions that morning allowed me to freeze the action perfectly, with enough detail to showcase the texture of the heron’s feathers and the water ripples around it.
This encounter is a reminder that while you may visit a location with a specific subject in mind—in my case, Bald Eagles—it pays to stay open to other opportunities. Sometimes, the unexpected moments are the most rewarding.
Have you photographed a heron before? Share your experience in the comments!