Heron Tongue

While visiting Joe Overstreet one morning a fellow photographer arrived and struck up a conversation. Asking if anything was happening I replied no, not right now. He was quite familiar with the area stating that he normally visited it about once each month. After giving me some tips concerning what and where to look for photo opportunities at Joe Overstreet, he gave me direction to another favorite spot of his on Lake Marion. According to him this location was particularly good for Limpkins, Vultures, and Wood Storks.

Soon the allure of a new adventure was too much and I was in the car headed south. The information was good with all of the stated species being present along with plenty of others. Late in the afternoon this Great Blue Heron positioned itself in the nearby marsh standing with open mouth. The strong backlighting illuminated the Herons long spike tongue.

I have spend many hours viewing and photographing these birds but this was the first and only time I have ever seen one stand with open mouth displaying its tongue. For reasons that only the Heron knew, it gave me a unique photo opportunity.