Out on a Limb with the Herons
So many photographers at Lakeside Park this morning, and I'm sure it is the warblers migration that is attracting everyone. It's good to see people at the lake who have a real enthusiasm for nature, but for me, it was just a little too much company and I felt the need for some solitude. I headed to the far edge of the lake, walking carefully through the branch-laden undergrowth and out into the open, where I was met by this stunning great blue heron who had also put some distance between itself and the photographers who were at the base of the lake:
I spent my time at the top of the lake, attempting and failing to photograph some of the warblers. It was time for me to leave, and as usual, that's when things always get interesting. I had seen the great egret fly over a few times when I was watching the warblers but had no idea where it had landed if at all. Partway along the path on my way back to my car, I saw the great egret perched above the small stream which runs into the lake. I edged my way down the bank, positioning myself behind some trees with just enough of a view for some photos.
It can be really difficult to get a good exposure when taking photos of the egret as it is so white, and a normal exposure for the available light will overexpose the heron and white out most of the detail in its feathers. I always use the focus point for the exposure and keep that on the lightest part of its feathers:
The egret seemed to be nice and relaxed. Time to preen its feathers. Using a foot where a beak cannot reach:
After preening, there is nothing better than a good stretch:
One final photo of a very hairy white caterpillar that had a black line down the center of its back. I searched when I returned home and found it to be a white hickory tussock moth caterpillar. They are apparently poisonous to humans, giving a nasty nettle type rash to any skin coming into contact with the hairs:
Copyright © wildlakeside.blogpot.com 2019 Scott Atkinson All Rights Reserved.
I took a few photos as I approached the heron, walking with slow deliberate steps, making my intention clear that I was simply passing through. The heron is perhaps also becoming used to me as it never moved at all as I walked directly underneath its perch and further along the edge of the lake.
I have posted photos of the larger birds of prey at Lakeside Park, while the smaller raptors have been eluding me. That is, until today. I was very happy to photograph this merlin as it perched on the dead branches of a tree in the distance at the very top of the lake:
I spent my time at the top of the lake, attempting and failing to photograph some of the warblers. It was time for me to leave, and as usual, that's when things always get interesting. I had seen the great egret fly over a few times when I was watching the warblers but had no idea where it had landed if at all. Partway along the path on my way back to my car, I saw the great egret perched above the small stream which runs into the lake. I edged my way down the bank, positioning myself behind some trees with just enough of a view for some photos.
It can be really difficult to get a good exposure when taking photos of the egret as it is so white, and a normal exposure for the available light will overexpose the heron and white out most of the detail in its feathers. I always use the focus point for the exposure and keep that on the lightest part of its feathers:
The egret seemed to be nice and relaxed. Time to preen its feathers. Using a foot where a beak cannot reach:
After preening, there is nothing better than a good stretch:
One final photo of a very hairy white caterpillar that had a black line down the center of its back. I searched when I returned home and found it to be a white hickory tussock moth caterpillar. They are apparently poisonous to humans, giving a nasty nettle type rash to any skin coming into contact with the hairs:
Copyright © wildlakeside.blogpot.com 2019 Scott Atkinson All Rights Reserved.
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