While photographing at Charleston Lake, Arkansas, I captured an unexpected yet intriguing sight: a Great Blue Heron relieving itself atop the dam. Although this is a routine act for the heron, it offers insight into its fascinating habits and instincts.
Great Blue Heron Behavior: Why They Avoid Defecating in Water
My friend Mia McPherson noted an interesting trait of Great Blue Herons. These birds tend to avoid defecating in water, preferring land or flight instead. This instinct serves several purposes:
- Maintaining Clean Feeding Areas: By keeping waste away from the water, herons prevent contamination of their hunting grounds, ensuring a cleaner and healthier food source.
- Reducing Predator and Competitor Attraction: Waste in the water could signal predators or competitors, potentially threatening the heron’s safety. Choosing a drier spot minimizes this risk.
- Supporting Ecosystem Health: This behavior indirectly benefits the aquatic environment by reducing organic waste buildup, which helps maintain a balanced ecosystem.
This observation highlights how even small behaviors can have important survival functions.
Technical Details of the Shot
- Date: February 9, 2023
- Time: 9:35 AM
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: Canon RF 800mm F11
- ISO: 1000
- Aperture: f/11
- Shutter Speed: 1/1250
- Exposure Compensation: -0.3
These settings were carefully selected to ensure crisp detail from a distance while effectively freezing movement. The overcast lighting provided a well-balanced exposure, bringing out the textures of both the heron’s feathers and the dam’s surface.
Observational Reflection
Wildlife photography often captures behaviors that might seem ordinary but reveal deeper survival strategies. Observing these moments fosters a greater appreciation for the intricate ways animals interact with their environment and adapt to challenges. Capturing these details enhances our understanding of nature while shedding light on the adaptations that help species thrive.
Have you ever observed a Great Blue Heron engaging in unique or unexpected behaviors, such as defecating in water or displaying other intriguing survival strategies? Share your observations in the comments—they could contribute to a broader understanding of this fascinating species.
Note: This is the same Blue Heron I have made several blog post on: Great Blue Heron Lifting Off, Great Blue Heron Taking Off and Flying Great Blue Heron With Shad