Yet another gift we got from our stay at Big Bend National Park. We had sighted this Green Heron (Butorides Virescens) a couple of times, but he was always too far away to get a decent image. I was determined to get a photo of this guy. Our last morning at Rio Grande Campground I went to the beaver pond and sat and sat and sat. There was nada, nothing, not a stirring of a bird. The only good thing was there were also few people. It was growing hot and I was about to give up. I said a quick prayer and Abba said “wait”. I waited. In a few minutes here he came. He landed about fifty yard away and gawked, gulped and eyeballed every thing around. He shook his feathers and put up his top-knot and I had my image.
The Green Heron is one of the few tool-using birds. He will drop bait in the water and sit in stoney stillness awaited a fish to take the bait. Amazing† A group of herons has many collective names, including a “battery”, “hedge” “rookery”, scattering” and my favorite a “pose”. So fitting!
Show off your plumage on your journey†††nada te turbe††††††††jim
Shades of Gray - Denison TX 
What words can I find? Of course, the standard “wow” but it is so much more. This is a PERFECT photograph. Great work, Jim! 🙂
This kind of photo is very rare, great work and listening to your inner voice really paid off, thanks for sharing your wonderful vision, MJ
MJ..thanx for your encouraging words…….shalom en theos…jim
Really great capture, Jim!
This is just a perfect photo!! My jaw is still open. Can I ask you to share your camera settings and what lens have you used if you don’t mind. I have often tried to click bird shots but hardly with any success. Thanks for sharing.
Bullu,,,,,,,nikon D300s, 400iso 1/7500 @ f7.5. Sigma 500mm f4’5 lens on a monopod. Exp compensation -1/3 stop, daylight light balance……I shoot raw format….thanks for looking, glad to help you out anyway I can……shalom en theos…..jim
Oh Thank you so much for sharing the specs. I will try them next time am out and see what I get. Thanks again!!
Thank you Eden……shalom en theos…….jim
The azure and tan of the background do an excellent job of setting off the heron—which I’m glad you finally managed to get a picture of. I know how hard it can be to photograph birds.
Steve Schwartzman
http://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com
Steve…..thank you for the keen observation to detail. I am humbled……shalom en theos…..jim