Yes, another heron photo. Here’s something interesting: I discovered that great blue heron are close to being endangered species in California because of the encroachment of residential housing into their nesting areas. I have felt a bit like a voyeur and intruder photographing them daily, but they don’t seem to be bothered by me. This photo was taken standing directly in front of and under their nest: They both continued on as though there wasn’t a crazy woman with a very long lens on a Nikon D70 aiming at them obsessively.
I think they know I mean them no harm; that I am simply documenting the wonderful way they go about their business with razor-like efficiency. One web site I visited tonight said that “sticks are the currency of herons”. Here we have one paying up — male to female. The part of this transaction that made me laugh out loud was the voracity with which she took it from him. She just about ripped it out of his beak after giving him a “what the hell took you so long” look.
Amazing, beautiful birds. The chicks are starting to hang out on the branches, but it’s been very windy and cold, so I haven’t tried very hard to photograph them — the movement of the branches and varying light is a major challenge. I haven’t been able to overcome it with filters (neutral density or circular polarizer) and so wait for optimal photo weather for them. I have about six more weeks by my calculations — they’re in the nest for 60 days. Enjoy. 
