Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea

[ladylouise62]

I opened the back door for the first time that day and suddenly saw this chappy fly over just above roof height (at that size and that low they sort of catch your attention ) I watched as it carried on over the gardens and then land on a house about 10 down the road. So, despite still being in my pyjamas I grabbed my camera, stuck a jacket on and a pair of boots and rushed down the road. Although it's not brilliant, I just managed to get him - well, he's a rarity for my area

[rolf]

Well done, always worth putting yourself out for a suburban Heron capture.

[Catherine]

Well captured, Louise!

Now, if only somebody had been around to take a pic of you then!

Maybe the local rivers were too deep for him - with all the rain - so he'd decided to go pond dipping instead?

[ladylouise62]

THe gardens around here are mostly too small to have ponds, but it's only 8 mins walk (less, "as the crow flies" I suppose ) to the river, or about 15 to a large pond in a park.

[Catherine]

The folks across the road have a VERY small garden, yet it has a small pond which has been raided several times by our neighbourhood Herons!

They usually call at garden ponds just after dawn around here. We have to keep our own small pond netted because of that.

They're furtive!