A Heron and A Crab at the Golden Hour

Several days ago we had a gorgeous sunset and the golden light was reflecting on the water off to our balcony’s right. I was gazing at the rippling water from my window, not realizing the window frame was blocking out of my view a Great Blue Heron doing a little fishing. Realizing the water had a continuing ripple band coming from the berm, I moved my head and then I saw him. A sprint out to the balcony, grabbing my camera in passing, I quickly took aim, not sure if his capture would turn out with such low light, but hoping a pretty silhouette shot. Not only did I love the shots, I got lucky with a cool surprise. My exposures changed a bit but I didn’t do any color editing, only cropping.

Great Blue Heron doing a little fishing

I was only going to take a couple photos but got lucky as he immediately plunged for a fish……..uh, no, a crab!

The heron held onto the wiggly crab, plunging him a couple times. But the crab was not going to be dinner, in the next photo he had a free claw reaching up to the heron’s beak.

I think the crab must have gotten in a quick pinch, because the heron quickly plunged the crab again in the next photo….

and then let him go in a circle of ripples!

The Great Blue Heron stood there for only a few seconds and then took flight……

and landed on the other side of the cove on the point.

Hopefully the fishing was better over there and there were no crabs & claws to contend with! 🙂

Hope you enjoyed and thanks for stopping by!
Have a great weekend!

Tags: bird, birding, Birds, birdwatching, blue heron, Chesapeake, Chesapeake Bay, crab, Eastern Shore, golden water, Grasonville, great blue heron, heron fishing, Kent Narrows, Marshy Creek, Maryland, Oyster Cove, photographs, photography, photos

34 thoughts on “A Heron and A Crab at the Golden Hour”

Steve Talabac on 06/07/2013 at 8:37 PM said:

Terrific sihouettes against a backdrop of golden sunset waters Donna! Definitely print-worthy. You might consider making 3 prints matted as a triptych!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/09/2013 at 8:21 PM said:
  
  Thank you so much, Steve!
  
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avian101 on 06/07/2013 at 9:37 PM said:

Beautiful shot Donna! 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/09/2013 at 8:21 PM said:
  
  Thank you very much, HJ!
  
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montucky on 06/07/2013 at 10:27 PM said:

Very cool to see!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/09/2013 at 8:22 PM said:
  
  Many thanks, Terry!
  
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quietsolopursuits on 06/08/2013 at 12:23 AM said:

The photos are beautiful, and I think that you finally found something that a heron won’t eat.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/09/2013 at 8:22 PM said:
  
  Thanks so much Jerry! I think you are right! lol
  
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kathy on 06/08/2013 at 6:41 AM said:

wow!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/09/2013 at 8:22 PM said:
  
  Thank you!
  
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Bob Zeller on 06/08/2013 at 9:02 AM said:

Wonderful, wonderful, Donna.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/09/2013 at 8:22 PM said:
  
  Thank you Bob!
  
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Beth Bradley on 06/08/2013 at 10:49 AM said:

Stunning! So glad you shared-thanks! hugs

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/09/2013 at 8:23 PM said:
  
  Thanks so much Beth!
  
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Phil Lanoue on 06/08/2013 at 11:44 AM said:

Those would be excellent without the crab but what a cool bonus!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/09/2013 at 8:24 PM said:
  
  Thanks Phil! It is always so cool when a surprise does occur!
  
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beckarooney on 06/08/2013 at 1:04 PM said:

Wow! Amazing silhouettes to complement a truly sensational sunset – I’m jealous! 🙂 x

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/09/2013 at 8:25 PM said:
  
  Thanks so much, Becky, the water reminds me of liquid gold….now if it only were… lol!
  
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dhphotosite on 06/08/2013 at 1:14 PM said:

Wow Donna…these are fantastic! The first photo should be the cover for a story about the region. It’s perfect in every way!!!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/09/2013 at 8:26 PM said:
  
  Thank you very much David, such nice comments!
  
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tootlepedal on 06/08/2013 at 5:00 PM said:

Crab 1 Heron 0 as we say over here.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/09/2013 at 8:26 PM said:
  
  Yep, that crab sure got lucky, Tom!
  
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janechese on 06/08/2013 at 10:30 PM said:

Now that really is golden hour-great series!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/09/2013 at 8:27 PM said:
  
  Thank you so much, Jane, I love when the water looks like that, what a treat to find the blue heron in the middle. Luck!
  
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Tammy on 06/09/2013 at 7:59 AM said:

wow, what beautiful shots especially the sunset!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/09/2013 at 8:28 PM said:
  
  Thank you Tammy!
  
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Max Reynolds on 06/09/2013 at 7:40 PM said:

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing it. -Max-

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bayphotosbydonna on 06/09/2013 at 8:28 PM said:

Thank you very much, Max!

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Deb Platt on 06/09/2013 at 9:39 PM said:

The photos came out beautifully. 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/11/2013 at 7:29 PM said:
  
  Thanks Deb! 🙂
  
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niasunset on 06/10/2013 at 7:57 AM said:

Beautiful photographs, compositions you captured dear Donna, Thanks and Love, nia

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/11/2013 at 7:29 PM said:
  
  Thanks so much Nia, hope all is well and safe with you.
  
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Ed on 06/12/2013 at 10:11 PM said:

WOW! Fantastic series of pics..:-))

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- bayphotosbydonna on 06/13/2013 at 8:15 AM said:
  
  Thanks so much, Ed!
  
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