Great Blue Heron in a Yawn - ©ingridtaylar
I watched this Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) preening and relaxing for a half hour or so. At the very end of our “visit,” he yawned and held the pose for just a few seconds. I snapped this shot.
A bird yawn always takes me back to the chaotic year of looking after two rescued racing pigeons, Chauncey and Clive. At the end of every bath session, they’d do an extensive preen, then finish off their scrub down with a big old yawn.
Like wing stretches and droopy-eyed naps, yawning is one of those behaviors I love seeing in the wild. They’re comfort poses, often captured at the tail end of a photography session, after what feels like a mutually agreeable arrangement between photographer and subject.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Looks like your heron was quite comfortable with you being around.
Hope you are staying dry up there. I was out at Heron’s Head here in San Francisco last Saturday and got soaked, so I’ve sprung for some wet weather gear, rain pants from Marmot and Aquatech water proof gloves and NEOS Overshoes plus a special cover for my camera from Fotosharp which I believe is up in your city. Will let you know how the gear works out.
Take care,
Glenn
Hi, Glenn! I’ve heard about the soaking the Bay Area’s been getting. So glad you’re geared up. And . . . speaking of that . . . can you let me know how those things work out? My activity has been more limited here because I haven’t yet invested in rain gear. I need precisely what you’ve just purchased: rain pants, waterproof gloves, overshoes and camera cover. Love it. You’ve inspired me to go seeking.
Will do. Have not received them yet. Well the pants came quickly but the rest has yet to arrive.