A Photo Every Day from the Sunshine Coast - Australia

Friday 3 April 2009

The White Faced Heron
Today's Skywatch from the Sunshine Coast


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According to Wikepedia, the White-faced Heron, Egretta novaehollandiae, also known as the Blue Crane, can be found almost anywhere near shallow water, fresh or salt, and although it is prompt to depart the scene on long, slow-beating wings if disturbed, it will boldly raid suburban fish ponds.

If you look closely enough, you will see that this fellow's neck is wet, all the way down to his shoulders, although you aren't to know that he got into that state fishing in my pond. I suspect that Mr Goldfish in yesterday's post is no longer happily swimming around, although he has plenty of siblings remaining.

I can't imagine a more perfect setting to photograph a Blue Crane, than in front of a pale grey sky, while standing on a pale grey roof. The sky almost looks as though it's been painted as a studio backdrop.

We've seen a bit of sky that colour of late, another 125mm (that's five inches) of rain overight, and we're only on the edge of the system!

Sunshine Coast Daily Photo - Australia
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13 comments

Stefan Jansson said...

Fantastic shot. Love it.

Lowell said...

We have many herons, but I'm not sure about this type. They are such graceful birds and you captured that grace and its beauty very well.

cara said...

Brilliant. You make grey interesting.

Lois said...

He's a beautiful bird! We've had 7.5 inches of rain here in the last two days and tornado watches.

Ann said...

Grey on grey on grey - I really like it.

Annie said...

Yes, amazing the rain, I have been reading about it in the papers over here. I wonder if one day we can say the drought has really broken.
In the meantime I really love the shot of the heron. Well done! Great photography!

Sharon said...

You'd never think that grey could be so interesting or varied. Great shot.

Sharon

Babzy.B said...

This Heron is very well captured , great shot !

Julie said...

Such a nice combination of colours, Peter. And an elegant, albeit annoying, bird.

That system of yours is a ripper from what I have been following.

Arija said...

Great shot, love the way he is casually strolling along the roof ridge.

David Edward said...

one of my favorite kinds of crane. They are so elegant. came here for skywatch, and got a real treat! Thank you.

prkl said...

Nice midgrey backdrop to the bird, lifts it up nicely. Great shot! Happy SWF!

Girl Tornado said...

What a marvelous photo, and you are right, it does appear that the sky was painted especially for him!

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