Every so often we are visited by a heron which sits on the roof opposite our house keeping watch over the neighbourhood. The vantage point it chooses (and it always stands on the same spot) overlooks the back gardens of two rows of houses so I can only assume it’s keeping an eye on their ponds for potential food. I’ve tried to take some photos before but have never managed to capture anything convincing. However, today I quickly threw a 1.4x teleconverter and 70-200mm lens on my camera and started shooting from just inside our front door. Having got a few shots in the bag I then slowly inched my way across the road towards it, shooting as I went – heaven knows what the neighbours must have thought if they saw me! I managed to get pretty close to the house before the heron flew away and I’ve only had to crop this a little. Unfortunately this particular heron only ever seems to visit us when the sky is exceptionally grey and dull, as indeed it was today. Perhaps one day it’ll return when there is a beautiful blue sky!

Very impressive and good timing. What presence of mind. I need the Monty Python dead parrot to pose before I get any decent bird shots. As you know, your lens drops stops with a teleconverter, so maybe you won't want too bright a blue sky as a background. Ready for tomorrow's writing thing? I confess I took the time today to shoot something for once. revenant · 2010-01-25: 10:31

Wonderful!!!!!!!!!! urmysunshine · 2010-01-25: 11:22

Great shot, Helen! My neighbors must think the same. I know some of my students think I'm a bit too much with the camera! ????? · 2010-01-25: 12:03

Fabulous shot Lynda · 2010-01-25: 12:37

Really an excellent bird picture! justgood · 2010-01-25: 13:03

Fantastic capture well done. MoMac · 2010-01-25: 13:46

great catch! Eiram · 2010-01-25: 14:54

he is wonderful! tomie · 2010-01-25: 15:31

WOW, great! Well done! I found as an english version of a a german saying: Once your reputation's gone, you can boldly carry on.... :-)) Wasichseh · 2010-01-25: 16:39

Wow.....lovely work, Helen!! So what about the neighbors....worth it to get this marvelous shot! lookagain · 2010-01-25: 20:09

Fantastic! I often creep up on things and my neighbors are used to it. I think the grey sky might actually work better. Shooting against a bright sky often causes me exposure problems. I like the way the bird looks here. I love herons anyway! ????? · 2010-01-25: 22:44

this is stunning slowpete · 2010-01-26: 01:00

Awesome image - I'm not posting the heron that sat on the roof opposite me yesterday! MouseholeKit · 2010-01-26: 13:46

What is interesting photos. Bird Photography I like it very much but I think is difficult to saberpix · 2010-01-26: 14:07

I find it easier to shoot against a dull sky. Great picture Helen. Latecomer · 2010-01-27: 05:16

Love it! The gray sky make the image a pure abstraction. He is on top of the stairs and looks beyond! :-) YUKJA · 2010-01-28: 14:12

Tagged: bird heron