A Morning Stroll

“A Morning Stroll”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Willets are very skittish and usually run away. I was glad this one was comfortable enough to walk in front of my camera a couple of times.

Location: Gulf State Park Pier, Gulf Shores, Alabama

Come and Get It!

“Come and Get It”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Nick, a local fisherman, caught a fish and threw it to George—the resident great blue heron. George is very smart and patient as he waited expectantly while Nick fished.

To view other posts about George and Nick click here and here.

Location: Photo taken during the Alabama Coastal BirdFest at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Gulf Shores, Alabama

Towering Above

"Towering Above"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I have posted before about George the resident great blue heron on the beach at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Gulf Shores, Alabama. He was kind enough to let me take his portrait while I was at the Alabama Coastal BirdFest.

I have never photographed a great blue heron this close, but he was used to hanging around the local fishermen for a bite to eat. My 80-400mm lens was on my camera, and I took this shot at 195mm.

He was towering over me a bit at I was on the downward slope of the beach and crouched low to get a good shot. 

The background in my photographs is very important to me. I took several shots with the beach and shore in the background but also like the beach house because it gives the shot character:)

Comfortable with my Presence

"Comfortable with my Presence"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

One of the things I love about wildlife photography is wildlife walking straight towards my camera! Willets are typically skittish and run away at blazing speeds, but this willet seemed comfortable with my presence. I love how he is looking up at me:)

This photograph was taken during the Alabama Coastal BirdFest.

Fishing the Easy Way

"Fishing the Easy Way"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

This great blue heron fished the easy way. Nick the fisherman caught a fish and tossed it to the heron so I could take a photograph.

Location: Photo taken during the Alabama Coastal BirdFest at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.

George

"George" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

This is George the resident great blue heron on the beach at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Gulf Shores, Alabama. This photo was taken while I was at the Alabama Coastal BirdFest. 

When I first got to the beach, I saw George off in the distance next to a few fishermen. At first glance, I said out loud, "Is that real?" He was a very large heron, and I did not know if it was a decoration. 

George also wanted the shrimp on the line of the fisherman just like the willet. The fisherman threw George a shrimp to eat and then caught a fish and gave it to George so I could photograph him.

Tug of War

"Tug of War"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

I am at the Alabama Coastal BirdFest this weekend and having a blast! This willet was playing tug-of-war with a fisherman's line.

Location: Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf Shores, Alabama