Great Blue Heron at Sunrise

Heron in Timber Lakes Community Association

The Majestic Great Blue Heron in its Natural Habitat

This image "Great Blue Heron at Sunrise" captures a beautiful moment in nature. It depicts a great blue heron (Ardea herodias) standing motionless, yet intently fishing for its next meal in a shallow section of Timber Lake in Williamstown, New Jersey. The heron is dark and silhouetted by the sun. Its almost mirror image like reflection can be seen in the calm surface of the lake. In the background, the early morning fog is slowly burning from the surface of the lake as it is heated up by the rising sun, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere. This image showcases the beauty and grace of this magnificent bird, and the natural habitat that surrounds it.

The Pursuit of the Perfect Heron Photo

Over the past few years, I've developed an interest (obsession, honestly) for birdwatching and bird photography. I began birdwatching in my backyard and at the nearby lakes and parks that surround our home. I quickly became interested in capturing unique images of these beautiful creatures. One that I have been chasing since purchasing a telephoto lens is the great blue heron. Despite their slow movements and often motionless behavior, herons can be notoriously difficult to photograph, as they are easily scared and tend to flyaway if you get remotely close to them.

To capture this image of a heron at sunrise, I used my Fujifilm X-PRO2 camera and the Fujinon XF 55-200mm telephoto lens mentioned earlier. The long reach of the telephoto lens allowed me to compress the scene and capture the heron in detail, while blurring the background with a shallow depth of field. As you can see from the foliage in the edges of the frame, I had to crouch low to the ground to avoid startling my subject.

I often equate photography to fishing, in that it requires practice and patience to be successful. By developing my skills and having the right gear, I was able to capture a truly unique moment.

Heron in Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

Great Blue Herons in the Pine Barrens

Great blue herons are a common sight for bird watchers in the Pine Barrens and can typically be found in and around the numerous shallow lakes and ponds that dot the landscape in South Jersey. Great Blue Herons can often be observed standing motionless or wading slowly through marshy grasses and shallow water while fishing for their next meal. They tend to be solitary birds while hunting but will roost and migrate in small groups. While some Great Blue Herons remain in the Pine Barrens year-round, many of them are summer residents and migrate away from the Pine Barrens to breed. These majestic birds are known for their slow, deliberate movements, making them a great subject to photograph if you can avoid startling them! Wetland destruction throughout the state has led to a decrease in heron populations from their once historic numbers. Since the 1950s, their loss of habitat has occurred at an alarming rate in New Jersey. Preserving wetland habitats is critical to the breeding herons in our great state.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy this short yet deep dive into my growing bird photography obsession. I also hope that you visit again as I indulge inwriting a blog after a few year hiatus. There’s no plan or schedule for now. Maybe that will change. If you like what you’ve read today please consider subscribing or sending me a message. See you next time.