Hwy 101, Oregon                                                                  Oct. 6, 2016

Just watching …

I love to photograph blue herons.  Barbara and I would paddle our kayaks on the lakes and streams in northern Virginia watching in awe.  So when I spied one near the shore I stopped for a treat.  

Hunched in against the cold – I setup my camera with my 10x lens and watched.

Then he started to preen himself.  Preening is a critical activity – a survival skill – for birds.  They may preen several hours a day.

I knew they oiled their feathers but I had to look up where the oil came from – the uropygial gland.  They rub their beak to pick up the oil then rub the the oil on the body and wing feathers as well as on their feet and legs.

The oil serves as a waterproofing agent – it helds the feathers shed water, preventing the water from penetrating and cooling the body.

I wish I had the flexibility of this heron!  I could scratch where it itched …

The preening grooms the feathers,

Keeping them in the best condition.

Grooming also aligns the feathers for optimal waterproofing and insulation.

A bird my groom several hours a day – preening is that important.

But the heron is nearly done.

So off he goes.

But only a short distance this time.  I wonder if he is merely testing his work.

Now watch him stick this landing!

Wow!

Oooops!  a small step.

But still the wings are so incredibly beautiful.

Another step …

And he’s down.

Only to leave to fly out of sight in a few moments!

I slowly put my equipment away in wonder…