Modified 16-Oct-24
Created 16-Oct-24
23 photos
Wilde Lake
Columbia, MD
October 15, 2024
Photos:
- Juvenile Great Blue Heron
The backstory:
I arrived at the lake at about 11:15am and checked the base of the dam for possible heron activity. Nothing... so I instead took a brisk walk around the lake. As I was approaching the boathouse and parking lot, I recognized a friend of mine standing about 40 feet further up the path pointing his telephoto lens at the lake - a good indication that there might be a heron or some other wildlife in view.
I approached quietly and sure enough our friendly juvenile Great Blue Heron was standing at the base of the embankment no more than 20' away.
After posing and then preening a bit, he stretched his long neck and wings; a behavior that suggested he might soon take flight... possibly for a meal at the dam.
No sooner had the thought crossed my mind, he took flight, temporarily out of line-of-sight behind the embankment foliage, so we lost the opportunity for a flight shot.
As suspected, I found him at the base of the dam. After exploring possible hunting locations he(she) decided the base of the falls might be a good hunting spot. Sure enough with patience and intense focus on the water, he(she) suddenly stabbed the water and captured a late morning snack.
Apparently one fish was sufficient for the time being. He looked up at the top of the dam, decided that would be its next perch, and took flight. By the time I climbed the hill to get some shots from the dam wing wall, he had taken flight and was seen heading toward the far end of the lake. Perhaps the fishing was better there.
Photography: Stephen Talabac
Post Processing: Stephen Talabac
Click on the first thumbnail for larger views.
© 2024 Stephen & Diana Talabac. All Rights Reserved.
Columbia, MD
October 15, 2024
Photos:
- Juvenile Great Blue Heron
The backstory:
I arrived at the lake at about 11:15am and checked the base of the dam for possible heron activity. Nothing... so I instead took a brisk walk around the lake. As I was approaching the boathouse and parking lot, I recognized a friend of mine standing about 40 feet further up the path pointing his telephoto lens at the lake - a good indication that there might be a heron or some other wildlife in view.
I approached quietly and sure enough our friendly juvenile Great Blue Heron was standing at the base of the embankment no more than 20' away.
After posing and then preening a bit, he stretched his long neck and wings; a behavior that suggested he might soon take flight... possibly for a meal at the dam.
No sooner had the thought crossed my mind, he took flight, temporarily out of line-of-sight behind the embankment foliage, so we lost the opportunity for a flight shot.
As suspected, I found him at the base of the dam. After exploring possible hunting locations he(she) decided the base of the falls might be a good hunting spot. Sure enough with patience and intense focus on the water, he(she) suddenly stabbed the water and captured a late morning snack.
Apparently one fish was sufficient for the time being. He looked up at the top of the dam, decided that would be its next perch, and took flight. By the time I climbed the hill to get some shots from the dam wing wall, he had taken flight and was seen heading toward the far end of the lake. Perhaps the fishing was better there.
Photography: Stephen Talabac
Post Processing: Stephen Talabac
Click on the first thumbnail for larger views.
© 2024 Stephen & Diana Talabac. All Rights Reserved.
© Stephen & Diana Talabac. All rights reserved.