New Lens and Lots of Herons

Just got the Tamron 150 - 600. It's not a pro lens, but it is FUN! Way more reach than the 80 - 400, and for herons, that is a very good thing indeed. These shots are from the Heronry Wayside in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and from the heronry suburb on the other side of Bath Road. Watch the footing, the path is starting to collapse into the river.

And the photos - the first group is stick wranglers. Sticks are very important to heron this time of year. They can make or break heron dating activities. Good sticks = happy hen heron and a happy nest. Bad sticks, and the boy heron is home alone.

If I just pull a little harder, this very fine stick will be MINE!

Mama happily tucking a good stick into the nest.

Papa, fluffing his feathers.

 Daydreaming about frogs...

Clearly not a heron, but a harbinger of Spring all the same.

One day soon, the clouds will break and maybe I can get some shots of herons with actual blue sky.