Great Blue Heron wading in the shallow waters at the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge! One of the best places to view herons of all types! Day 10 #artadventcalendar #birds #birdnerd #herons #natureisbeautiful #wildlifephotography - ThreadSky

williamsmarry.bsky.social•156 days ago

What a beautiful picture

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thank you so much!

reply

shawnie3922.bsky.social•155 days ago

Beautiful

reply

annamaria247.bsky.social•156 days ago

😍

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Haha thank you!

reply

moondog385.bsky.social•156 days ago

That is a brilliant shot. Nice work!

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thank you so much!

reply

lovetopaddle.bsky.social•155 days ago

Super cool

reply

waxwantsleeep.bsky.social•156 days ago

Robert Pattinson looks amazing here

reply

allisonscorpio13.bsky.social•156 days ago

Watch your ponds, people because these guys are notorious for stealing fish!

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

They are great fishers for sure!

reply

digsingarden.bsky.social•156 days ago

I love that place… especially near new years

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Winter in Florida is great!

reply

gentrydixon.bsky.social•156 days ago

They are so beautiful. I have one who visits my backyard on occasion to fish for a meal.

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

That’s awesome! We used to have sandhill cranes visiting our house almost daily in Florida!

reply

aggiesdad.bsky.social•156 days ago

I grew up around these guys in Northern California. At 6’ tall, they’re rather imposing when they walk over to you and stand there like “hey,” especially when you know they could spear your hand like a frog.

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

I never manage to get too close to these guys but Sandhill Cranes used to visit our backyard and I could get extremely close!

reply

aggiesdad.bsky.social•156 days ago

To be clear: I never wanted to get close to them. You’d get out of your car at a parking lot that abutted a creek or field or something and they might just appear. All brazen like. 😅

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

lol that’s crazy

reply

mariahatt.bsky.social•156 days ago

Beautiful! What time of day did you take this picture

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Probably later in the morning than I should. I’d usually try to get there before 8am but that rarely happened. This was also on the back half of the wildlife drive so probably close to 11 am. He was in a nice shaded spot though, so the highlights weren’t blown out.

reply

mariahatt.bsky.social•156 days ago

Interesting I’m always looking for tips on wildlife photography

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Early morning or sunset are the best time of day because the light is nicer and the animals more active. But even the middle of the day can work if you find some shade or get creative with your post processing.

reply

naqvi316.bsky.social•156 days ago

Recent visitor in my backyard!

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•155 days ago

Exciting!

reply

oftheisland.bsky.social•156 days ago

There is a heron where I live that always goes to the same spot every night and at day it hangs out with the ducks. I love it so much ❤️ We named it Sherry! I’ll try to get a picture

reply

janiceblake.bsky.social•156 days ago

I saw a blue heron in flight over the Bellona Wetlands, Playa del Rey, CA. It was bigger than my car!!

reply

half-baked-berner.bsky.social•156 days ago

Absolutely beautiful 🤩

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Too kind! Thank you! It’s all the bird!

reply

jgieseke.bsky.social•156 days ago

Or my front yard.

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Very lucky!

reply

jgieseke.bsky.social•156 days ago

Not really it’s a lot to push mow.

reply

wango3.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thank you for this picture.

reply

ebagheri.bsky.social•156 days ago

Hi

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

reply

songofgong.bsky.social•156 days ago

Herons can be helpful for reading,oh wait no thats HEROIN.

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Lol

reply

kc1225.bsky.social•156 days ago

Wow! Looks like a painting..

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thank you!

reply

nosisa.bsky.social•156 days ago

Look at mine I just posted 😭

reply

travisgaetz.bsky.social•156 days ago

🔥

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thank you Travis!

reply

forevertrueblue.bsky.social•156 days ago

Where is the island?

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Merritt Island is in Florida and the wildlife refuge is next to Cape Canaveral. Black Point Wildlife Drive is a self-paced driving loop on the refuge that gets you up close and personal with all the birds. Excellent time!

reply

forevertrueblue.bsky.social•156 days ago

crocs too?

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Oh there’s always crocs. On the drive, though, you can see so much without having to leave your car. Orlando Wetlands, however, requires that you walk within feet of big crocs.

reply

forevertrueblue.bsky.social•156 days ago

Feet? lol I’ll take miles

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Haha! They’re pretty lazy and ignore you most of the time

reply

highdesertbob.bsky.social•156 days ago

I was stationed at Patrick AFB in the 70s and boated and kayaked these areas often. Robert's Roost by the Pineda Causeway became the roosting area for the migrating terns. Beautiful area.

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Patrick and Melbourne are great areas!

reply

babyruthy.bsky.social•156 days ago

Stately

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Haha! Yes he is very stately! 💙

reply

cheekymonkeyh.bsky.social•156 days ago

Stunning 🤩

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thank you so much, monkey!

reply

mikoxford.bsky.social•156 days ago

Seen a lot of good GBH photos. I think this one takes the cake! Amazing capture!

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

That’s high praise Mike! 🍰 Thank you!

reply

steve779.bsky.social•156 days ago

Beautiful photo

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thank you Steve!

reply

happy45-dog.bsky.social•156 days ago

there is a blue heron in my area
and swans too

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Awesome!

reply

juli77712.bsky.social•156 days ago

Wow!!what kind of bird is that?

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Great Blue Heron, usually found near water where then can catch fish.

reply

aatosl.bsky.social•153 days ago

Absolutely great place for any kind of shore birds.

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•153 days ago

Beautiful shot!

reply

aatosl.bsky.social•153 days ago

It's a great place to get close to a large variety of birds. I didn't have my latest camera and lens but these worked fine at the close distance. One year it was perfect, but not so good the next year because of a drought.

reply

brenzo187.bsky.social•156 days ago

reply

cathybee209.bsky.social•156 days ago

I grew up in Titusville and spent many hours out on those salt flats watching dolphin, herons and jumping mullet.

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

That’s awesome!

reply

sturg.bsky.social•156 days ago

Wow 😍

reply

glendap.bsky.social•156 days ago

I love it!

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

That’s too kind, thank you Glenda! 💙

reply

valerienotmalerie.bsky.social•156 days ago

Woah 🤯 beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thank you so much Valerie! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

reply

shirlmc.bsky.social•156 days ago

Beautiful!

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thank you!

reply

cynicalcat.bsky.social•156 days ago

A beautiful picture. I love to see well taken photos!

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thank you!

reply

leadgenerator.bsky.social•156 days ago

Beutifull bird. Prehistoric!

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Dry beautiful, thank you!

reply

devinemarriage.bsky.social•156 days ago

A symbol of life, a symbol of hope.

reply

davydemo.bsky.social•156 days ago

Went there yesterday and to the Orlando Wetlands and Wildlife area in nearby. Christmas today. WAY more birds and trails. It was pretty amazing there.

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Oh yes the Orlando Wetlands are also awesome!

reply

thatplantdad.bsky.social•156 days ago

Woah! I see these all the time in Maryland but not as much in the winter time! Do you know if they leave for warmer weather?

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

I just checked and some of them do migrate, others stay year round

reply

thatplantdad.bsky.social•156 days ago

Woooow hmm makes sense, thanks! I wonder why some stay! I have seen the occasional one or two but not nearly as many as in spring. Cool stuff! (And awesome photos!)

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thank you! I certainly notice them less often in the colder months but every once in awhile you’ll spot one.

reply

dermcq.bsky.social•156 days ago

Wonderful picture! Thank you for posting it.

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

reply

katdos.bsky.social•156 days ago

Oh!

reply

dgrud.bsky.social•156 days ago

15 years ago I used to go there all the time I had the whole place to myself. I got my best pictures while kayaking.

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

That’s awesome! I loved visiting that area when we lived in Melbourne! Water was always comfortable!

reply

bluewaterride.bsky.social•156 days ago

I live in Titusville, Florida 🌴, across the Lagoon. See them daily. Ospreys, etc. ❤️

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

I do miss that about living in Florida! Great shot!

reply

lorilolson.bsky.social•156 days ago

Such a gorgeous bird. Great work💙

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thank you Lori!

reply

richtra.bsky.social•156 days ago

Beautiful & vibrant blue 💙🩵🤍

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thank you 😊

reply

sophiesmom22.bsky.social•156 days ago

WOW! Beautiful photo! Love these birds

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thank you! Me too!

reply

srwhitelegg.bsky.social•156 days ago

What equipment do you use?

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Nikon d7500 with a Nikon 200-500 mm lens

reply

srwhitelegg.bsky.social•156 days ago

I have the same Nikon (love it!), but I went cheaper with 2 Sigma lenses: a 150-600 mm, and a 18-250 mm. I'm not a pro, so the Sigmas work fine.
You do great work.

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

Thanks! I’m glad hear you’re enjoying the sigma, I almost went for that one. And yes the d7500 is incredible!

reply

srwhitelegg.bsky.social•156 days ago

I moved up from a d5300 (still have it) because of some of the features, but mostly because it shoots @4K and has a great time-lapse function.

reply

reckerphotography.bsky.social•156 days ago

I had a d5100 that I upgraded from. Now my kids use it when we go looking for birds to photograph. 💙

reply