What is this GBH doing? (1 Viewer)

icassell

Well-known member

• Jun 9, 2010

• #1

I saw this Great Blue Heron today in this pose -- what is he doing?

Thanks, Ian

 

Attachments

• 
  IMG_8080-Edit.jpg

  285.1 KB · Views: 127

L

longbow

Well-known member

• Jun 9, 2010

• #2

I haven't a clue what he's doing, but that pic begs for one of those cartoon dialogue balloons with whatever appropriate aphorism. He sure looks like he's giving the wife or one of the kids hell for how the nest was left....

Also where in heck down in that hot dry desert did you capture this?

GREAT picture.

 

icassell

Well-known member

• Jun 9, 2010

• #3

Thanks! LOL. I do believe you may have something there!

There are some good water-bird places to shoot down here which I have recently discovered. In Gilbert (just outside of Phoenix) is a collection of 7 wastewater reclamation ponds which have been turned into a bird sanctuary. Over 200 species have been seen including all sorts of water birds (this morning alone I saw black necked stilts, avocets, great blue herons, great egrets, green heron, cormorants, ruddy ducks, black bellied whistling duck, coots, in addition to all the perchers, hummers, etc.).

http://www.riparianinstitute.org/birding.cfm

 

L

longbow

Well-known member

• Jun 9, 2010

• #4

Good for you. I'd love to have a magnet like that around here!

I lived in Prescott back in the 70's, and was naturally down in Phoenix a number of times, but don't recollect hearing of Gilbert. Wish I had.

 

Last edited: Jun 9, 2010

icassell

Well-known member

• Jun 9, 2010

• #5

Thanks! I've googled a bit and can't find that much. There seems to be some disagreement. Some say it's a way they dry their feathers and some say it is just a way they sun themselves. Considering it was about 103 deg F here today when I took the picture, I can't imagine why he'd be trying to warm up (and there were more than a dozen other GBH's nearby who were not in this posture). His wings did not look wet. Maybe he is a yoga master?

 

nickderry

C'est pas ma faute, je suis anglais.

• Jun 9, 2010

• #6

and some say it's a digestion posture - our grey herons often do it here - though usually when it's warm.

 

icassell

Well-known member

• Jun 10, 2010

• #7

Another thing I read is that it is a way for them to heat their feathers to get rid of parasites.

 

Birdingcraft

Well-known member

• Jun 13, 2010

• #8

icassell said:

Another thing I read is that it is a way for them to heat their feathers to get rid of parasites.

Click to expand...

That is what I suspect although I like the Yoga master idea too.

 

Muddy Turnstone

Young birder

• Jun 13, 2010

• #9

It's simple! He is asking you for a dance! :king: