I’ve had an exciting few days photographing at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I’ve been parked near Miner’s Cove, watching a beautiful Green Heron that doesn’t seem to mind my presence as long as I stay inside my pickup.
Green Herons are normally shy, so getting the chance to observe and photograph this individual at close range has been a real treat. These herons typically wade through shallow water to catch small fish, but the other day I was lucky enough to capture it with a rather large spider snack!
As you can see in the photo above, this Green Heron caught a sizable spider, holding it in its bill before gulping it down. I’m amazed by the spider’s size relative to the heron. It’s clear this heron is an accomplished hunter, capable of catching not just fish but other prey as well.
Getting shots like this takes patience. I’ve been returning to Miner’s Cove every morning when the heron comes to feed. My pickup provides just enough cover that the heron tolerates my presence. Using my long lens, I can get frame-filling photos of it going about its daily business.
I feel privileged to get this up-close look into the feeding behavior of such a shy species. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the daily life of the Green Heron as much as I do! I can’t wait to see what other natural surprises I might be able to capture photographing this beautiful bird and its wetland home.
Steve Creek, Wildlife Photographer
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon EF 800 mm f/11
Technical:
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: September 6, 2021 (7:32 A.M.)
- Program Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f11 (Fixed)
- Shutter speed: 1/1000
- ISO: 6400 (Auto)
- Exposure Compensation: 0
- Focal Length: 800 mm