Ted Evans  

Great Blue Heron by Ted Evans

October 2026 - Great Blue Heron

About the Image(s)

The weather days for bird photography in Chicago are dwindling. So, I have been vigorous in getting out to shoot at least three to four times a week. On Tuesday August 18, 2026 at around 7:00 AM I was very fortunate to be driving near one of my favorite locations for bird photography and glimpsed a shape that made me slam on the brakes. On foot, I got my camera out of my bag and tried to sneak up on a perched Great Blue Heron along with about thirty ducks on a large branch over the water. I was blocked from a clear shot and had to approach from a different angle. As I crept closer, all of the ducks took flight. The Heron was concerned, but remained still. I didn't want to flush the Heron, but I got as close as possible and loved this image to share with the group.

Exif
Canon EOS R5m2
Canon EOS 200 800mm
Manual~CRaw
1/400
f/7.1
ISO 250
ON1 Photo Raw

7 comments posted

Toya Heatley   Toya Heatley
The heron is sharp and full of feather detail. I find the sticks on the left and the branch on the right a bit of a distraction but as you said, it's not always easy to get a clear shot. Is this a crop? I wonder what it would look like with more of the branches allowing them to frame the heron?
Certainly one to be happy with :)   Posted: 10/01/2026 23:16:21
Leslie Larson   Leslie Larson
Large birds are fun to photograph, especially when they pose. The greens look a little too bright, but maybe that's just my But it is a very nice capture of a stately bird. I agree with Toya that removing the branches on the left is a good idea.   Posted: 10/03/2026 04:18:30
Michael Braunstein   Michael Braunstein
The bird is very sharp. I am impressed with the sharpness of the 200-800 lens. The green is very intense but since I was not there I do not know if it is too much. It is a green I would excpect in a jungle.
  Posted: 10/03/2026 13:30:52
Tom Buckard   Tom Buckard
Ted, this is a gorgeous true to life image of a Great Blue. The bokeh of the background is super and I feel the greenish tint of the branch and limb is realistic. I too am a major fan of the Great Blue. Feathers, head and legs a very sharp and detailed. I hope you don't mind, I took the liberty to remove the branches on the left. What do you think?   Posted: 10/03/2026 13:57:45
Comment Image
Ted Evans   Ted Evans
I agree with the critiques. I'll be more alert to distractions.   Posted: 10/03/2026 14:00:30
Jim Overfield   Jim Overfield
Ted, this is a beautiful shot of a Blue Heron. The colors and sharpness of the feathers, legs, beak and eye are spot on. The third branch at the bottom left side touches the bird, so removing it is a good idea. The remaining two branches really don't bother me that much and kind of frames the bird with the larger branch on the right side. The Boka background is perfect. I'm curious to know that the focal length was from the 200-800 zoom was when taking this shot, and did you crop the image?   Posted: 10/22/2026 02:14:55
Mike Cowdrey   Mike Cowdrey
The great blue looks similar to the UK grey, but I guess from it's name it is larger? The background is held back well, giving a lovely clear image of this bird, especially with Tom's suggestion. Feather detai is well caught!   Posted: 10/23/2026 08:12:22

 

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