A few weeks ago, a friend showed me this nesting tree near me. It’s located behind a fast food restaurant, in between two strip malls, if you can believe it. I pulled out the tripod Neil left me, and sat behind the stores to watch these beautiful creatures flying in and out of their nests.
I couldn’t get close, so I used my lens with the greatest zoom. These aren’t the best quality, but I still like them. They tell a story of resilience and community. You’ll notice that among the egrets, there was a pair of herons, and several red-winged blackbirds.
Let me know if you have a favorite and have a fantastic Monday.
- These were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using a 75-300mm lens and edited with Lightroom Classic.
Big, beautiful birds! Nice photography Ilze. I wish I could fly away some days…
I meant Bridgette, oops. 😬
I knew what you meant! I do that all the time, hit send super fast before reading it over 🙂
Thanks Bridgette, I do the same thing but proof reading a post before uploading is a must.
Same, John. These birds are so fascinating to watch and so busy. There was constant movement with birds coming and going. I could have watched them all day. I’m hoping to go back this week to see if they have any babies!
I hope you get the baby photos! These birds seem like they would nest on the ground in a secluded space rather than a tree because of their size.
Right?! Especially one in the middle of a bunch of businesses. It’s wild, but I’m glad it’s by me.
Good, you don’t have a reason to not go get new pics! 👍🏻😂
Beautiful birds. <3
Thanks, Michael. They were fascinating to watch. I really could have stayed there all day.
I hear you, there. Thanks for the pictures 🙂
A tree full of ballerinas…
Absolutely! I’m obsessed and keep returning to watch them.
Wow! Every photo is gorgeous. You did an amazing job with the tripod to capture those beauties.
Thank you so much! It’s the first time I wished I had one of those enormous lenses that zoom in super far away. I wanted to see them even closer.
👍🏼
Awesome Bridgette – not sure I’ve seen such birds here, though I’m not very observant. I’m choosing #3 as I get more of an idea of size against the little chap in the higher branches.
I grew up with these birds around the farm I boarded my horses at. I thought they were cranes, but I’ve sense learned more about them. The discovery of this tree has brought me tremendous joy!
Excellent photos. No. 8 is my favorite.
That’s one of my favorite’s too, as it really shows off the green on their beaks. I just read that it only is prominent during mating season.
That is correct.
Fantastic photos
Thanks for making my morning
That makes me so happy! Thank you. They really are such beautiful creatures.
🙏
.*
Shivoham*🙏🙏🙏
Blessings to you!
Wow! Great shots. Willdlife everywhere.
Thanks! Yeah, it reminded me of those apocalyptic films where nature has reclaimed an area, except it’s just right in between two strip malls. Incredible, right?
Hey Bridgette —
I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award: https://ravensweald.com/sunshine-blogger-award/
It would be fun if you joined in.
Hey, Michael. I’m so slow to do these things right now as I can’t seem to get my footing, but thank you for nominating me. I’ll try and join in 🙂
No worries! I just want you to know that you’re appreciated.
Thanks!
Aww! Thank you!!
Beautiful photos. I’ve never seen them nesting, so thank you.
Me either! I usually see them in waterways beside the freeways. They are mighty hardy for such elegant looking birds.
Indeed. Great description.
These are just incredibly magical.
I’m so glad you think so! Thank you!
Gorgeous from an artsy perspective. The header shot is like a painting as are many of the others. Numbers 8, 11, and 16 are especially good because of the unique positions of these majestic birds. If these photos are for a ‘reportorial’ outlet, I would definitely print them more saturated, more natural.
I’m so glad you like them! I think you are right about printing them. I’ve not printed many yet, I need to find a good place to go through and start experimenting with that. I’d like to offer that as part of my services when I launch my business. I know it’s hard for people to find the time to get their work printed and framed.