Today’s story is about a little mini-adventure I had a few months ago. Every day, I hop onto Facebook to scroll through photos posted in the Maine Birds and Maine Wildlife groups to see what interesting animals have made an appearance lately. I only stay on the site for a short time, so I usually check it out two or three times during the day – at breakfast, at dinner, and sometimes, at lunch. One evening, I saw a photo someone had posted of a Green Heron they’d photographed here in Kennebunk earlier that day. They mentioned that this heron had been in that location every morning for the last several days. This was a great opportunity. I’d never seen a Green Heron before, and it sounded like I might have a pretty good chance. I talked it over with Bobby, and he agreed to go with me in the morning.

      The next day, we woke up while it was still dark out and got ready. I wasn’t exactly sure where the photo had been taken but had a good guess. We arrived on location just as the sun was rising. There were several small ponds in the area, so I parked the jeep about halfway between them. I left Bobby in the jeep with instructions to call me if he saw the heron at the pond to his right or flying anywhere. Then, I gathered my gear and walked quietly over to the pond on the left.

      I could hear the bullfrogs croaking away but couldn’t see anything at first. I set up my tripod and stool and made myself comfortable. Before long, I discovered there was a Muskrat living in the pond! It took several tries, but eventually I was able to get a few photos. I didn’t expect them to be any good. The little mammal was a fast mover, and it was still pretty dark with the tall trees blocking the light from the rising sun.

A Muskrat swimming in the small pond. I was so surprised and excited to se this little animal. I had never had the chance to photograph one before, so even though it was still quite dark, I was happy for the opportunity. Kennebunk, Maine

      A few minutes later, something big just beyond my feet in the rushes at the edge of the water started moving. Then, the Green Heron burst out of the brush and flew over to land on a small rock at the left side of the pond! I couldn’t believe it! There it was, and it had been right next to me the whole time! Not only was it superbly camouflaged, but it was far smaller than I’d thought. It was closer in size to a duck than to the Great Blue Heron!

      I carefully swung my lens around and started photographing the Green Heron. It didn’t seem particularly bothered by me, changing position on the rock, staring intently into the water, looking for its breakfast. My position wasn’t the best, with my view partially blocked by some reeds. I shifted ever so slightly and was able to get quite a few unimpeded shots of the heron fishing after that.

My first view of the Green Heron after it settled on a rock was partially obscured by the reeds. Kennebunk, Maine

Slightly less impeded view of the Green Heron after I shifted position. It too was shifting position so it could fish. Kennebunk, Maine

The Green Heron fishing. This shot was just before it struck the water hoping to spear a fish with its sharp beak. Kennebunk, Maine

The Green Heron changing position again, intently eyeing the water looking for more fish. Kennebunk, Maine

The best view of the Green Heron on the small rock. It was trying yet another position to see if that worked better for fishing. Kennebunk, Maine

      A little while later, the heron took to the air once more. There was a big tree to my right, so I couldn’t see where it had gone, whether it had just changed spots again or left entirely. I stood up and took a few steps to my left to take a look and was happy to see it perched on some reeds along the edge of the pond. The heron continued to ignore me, so I grabbed my stool and tripod and moved them to a new spot about 5 feet from the previous one. I wanted to continue my photography but didn’t want to do anything to disturb the heron, so I wasn’t about to follow it around the pond.

The Green Heron creeping forward, staring intently into the water, about to pounce. Kennebunk, Maine

The Green Heron with a tiny fish at the tip of its beak just before it tossed its head back to swallow it. Kennebunk, Maine

      I spent a little longer photographing the heron as it continued to fish. Unlike when it had been on the rock, other than one jab into the water, it remained immensely still. It gave me a great chance to really dial in both my settings and my focus, but after a bit, I stopped shooting. There are only so many photos you want of a particular bird in the exact same pose. I sat back and just observed my surroundings, enjoying the tranquility of the moment. I watched the Muskrat swimming about and was delighted to discover there were actually two!

The Green Heron waiting patiently to see if any other fish would come close. Kennebunk, Maine

      Before long, another vehicle approached. I wasn’t sure if it was the person who had posted the photo or not. But, in case it was, I decided it was time to leave. While the heron hadn’t seemed to mind my presence, I didn’t want to risk putting undo pressure on it if another photographer was going to approach. It was almost time to head back so Bobby could get ready for work anyway. I’d only spent about a half-hour with the heron, if that, but I was content. It had been a wonderful experience, and I had some great photos to show for it. I quietly packed up my gear and left the heron to continue fishing, walking back to the jeep, happy with all I’d accomplished on my mini-adventure.