This is a Great Billed Heron, Australia's largest heron - it stands about 1.1 m tall and weighs in at around 2kg. I managed to get these pictures during an evening boat trip on the Daintree River. It's general scarcity means that our knowledge of this bird is patchy to say the least. It was only know to breed in 5% of the record squares in the most recent Australian breeding atlas. Not surprisingly it is considered to be rather elusive and shy. This bird may be been elusive, but it was not shy! As you can see we managed to get quite close and have a really good look at it.
The changes in colour between the pictures are caused by the use of a torch (flash light to some!) to get a better look. You may ask why we were doing this. Its hard to tell from the pictures just how dark it was at this time - and it really does show the light gathering power of the high ISO speeds on digital cameras - but you can also see the grain in the picture.
You can find a longer account of my boat trips on the Daintree River
here.
Now it's you turn to get involved with WBW - click the link and off you go.
Nice pictures of your heron, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteAnd do you know what bird I've choose today??
Greetings from Pia in Sweden
congrats on getting to see (and photograph) him!
ReplyDeleteI think you did a wonderful job getting shots of the heron.
ReplyDeleteMust have been a thrill to see it!
Really nice shots!
What a thrill you must have felt! It sounds so rare.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo opportunity for you.
ReplyDeleteNice pictures you show of herons.
ReplyDeleteHanne Bente
Wonderful images, Stewart! The flashlight really changes the bird's appearance. It resembles our great blue heron, often seen standing motionless at the edge some pond watching for prey.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your photos! It looks a lot like the Great Blue Heron, but with more muted colors.
ReplyDeleteHe looks very much like the Great Blue Heron we have here in the states. They have become common along water ways. Your pictures are amazing for taking in the dark. Thank you again for keeping the WBW going.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
Wild Bird Wednesday 8? How time flies!
ReplyDeleteYour heron takes are excellent especially considering the dark conditions. The grain is beautifully atmospheric in my opinion.
Great job steering the WBW ship of state. You are awesome Stewart!
Cheers!
We love watching and photographing herons. I've got a juvenile heron this week ... is it a green heron or a black crowned night heron?
ReplyDeleteHe is a big guy! And beautiful -- how wonderful that you got to see this elusive bird.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting.
What a great sighting! Beautiful photos and ofcourse beautiful bird!! :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteI really look forward to reading all your wilde bird wednesday blogs. From Findlay
ReplyDeleteWhat an impressive bird!
ReplyDeletelovely photos Stewart, I'd not seen this heron before. I'm surprised really that it weighs so little
ReplyDeleteGreat sighting, Stewart. It is a beautiful bird. Thanks for sharing and for hosting WBW!
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos of these Herons!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad for your 8 WBW!
Have a nice evening, - or perhaps day at your part of the world!
What wonderful shots of this magnificent bird!
ReplyDeleteSuper shots of this incredible bird Stewart! Thanks again for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures!
ReplyDeleteOops! I read your WBW post first and then forgot to comment! Very interesting the difference the light makes on the color of the plumage. Great photos of a very interesting bird.
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos of the heron! Managing to see a rare bird is a treat, but getting to photograph it must have been a thrill!
ReplyDeleteHi again!
ReplyDelete*hi hi* Yes, it looks like it was an international heron week indeed!
I see your sort of heron is heavier than the one I got flying on my photos.
Glad to know you liked my jumping fish! I guess I was lucky - and fast - and patient...!
Have a nice day,Stewart, here in Sweden it's 12.45 pm right now. /Pia
the blue heron is one of my favorite birds...they are very photogenic and boy when they fly they are absolutely stunning to watch.
ReplyDeleteGreat capture. Interesting account also.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos of the heron!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice afternoon:)
Very nice photos of the heron ,Nette
ReplyDeleteGreat series, Stewart! And what a great experience to photograph a rare bird.
ReplyDeleteI finally posted my Eastern Reef Egret... yes!
that bill really looks strong. I´m glad you got some shots of it. We need to learn about all birds. Some of the birds I psot from CR has very limited info. I can only show some shots but I wish I knew more about them.
ReplyDeleteYou don´t really have to say thank you twice to me. It is I that should say ..Thanks for hosting. :)
Wonderful pictures, thanks for sharing this grea bird.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of the herons.
ReplyDeleteWow, these are gorgeous, thank you for sharing this majestic bird!
ReplyDeleteMy photos are mostly of herons, too.
ReplyDeleteThese herons are very priestly! Wonderful stuff, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the Heron.
ReplyDeleteWow these are great captures of this elusive Heron. Interesting that there is not a lot known on this bird. Happy Weekend Stewart~
ReplyDelete