Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: MEGHAN on March 22, 2010, 06:02:51 PM

Title: HERONRY
Post by: MEGHAN on March 22, 2010, 06:02:51 PM

This is a sight I have been hoping to see for a very long time.
Very overcast today and rain.
I will be going to visit this place about once a week and I hope for some beautiful sunlit shots.
Enjoy
Meghan

(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/CSC_0466.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_0357.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/CSC_0475.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/CSC_0474.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/CSC_0467.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/CSC_0470.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/CSC_0471.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/CSC_0473.jpg)

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Post by: denis on March 22, 2010, 06:05:25 PM

they,re back! yipee!

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Post by: Misty01 on March 22, 2010, 08:31:49 PM

OMG Meghan you hit the GBH motherload....and they are in a tree!!! lol  great pics :D

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Post by: Moira on March 22, 2010, 09:34:36 PM

Looks great - definitely worth monitoring.

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Post by: Niloc on March 22, 2010, 11:14:34 PM

Where is this?

Wednesday is supposed to be sunny I expect some wonderful pics from you lol!

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Post by: ravynne40 on March 22, 2010, 11:26:30 PM

Fantastic shots Meghan! sounds like quite the experience congrats.

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Post by: Bird Brain on March 22, 2010, 11:54:07 PM

Quote from: "Misty01"

you hit the GBH motherload....:D

:lol:  Thanks for a really great and much needed laugh!  

Jo-Anne  :)

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Post by: mike on March 23, 2010, 04:58:10 PM

I believe there's also a Bald Eagle nest not too far from there as well if it's the same place. I only know of one nesting ground for GBH's.

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Post by: MEGHAN on March 24, 2010, 07:29:11 PM

Quote from: "Bird Brain"

Quote from: "Misty01"

you hit the GBH motherload....:D

:lol:  Thanks for a really great and much needed laugh!  

Jo-Anne  :)

I agree Jo-Anne, too funny.
Crystal know how much I obsess over these birds, so finding so many is really the "motherload" for me. And of course knowing my history with them, they continue to be found in trees.

Thanks to all for your kind words and I will definately continue to monitor, photograph and post the happenings of this site for the season.

Meg

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Post by: niani.gil on March 24, 2010, 10:27:38 PM

Hi Meghan

I was at the heronry last Saturday and it started snowing! I sure will get back some time this week. Hopefully Friday or Saturday with some sun. DO you know of any particular time they are active and flying around and is the direction of the light better in the  morning or the evening.

When I was there, I saw one of them fly south. Is there a nearby pond or lake that they visit?

Thanks

Nigil

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Post by: MEGHAN on March 24, 2010, 10:45:45 PM

Hey Nigil,

When you are looking at the Heronry from the parking lot is it due East, so morning time they would be back-lit, afternoon is better for lighting...if the sun ever comes out on the weekends  :D
Directly south is a cemetary and golf course, and there are plently of ponds in each of these places.
I don't know what else is around there for them, I'm not too familiar with the area.
Hope this helps.
I might see you there this weekend.
I plan on heading up there again Sunday afternoon.
Meghan

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Post by: Misty01 on March 25, 2010, 05:52:12 AM

ohhh if you are going after the meeting I may bring my camera and stalk you  :P

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Post by: mr.sharp-photo on March 25, 2010, 08:45:21 AM

i was there at 7:50 Am this morning before work.
lighting sucked. was only there for 5 minutes due to time restrictions.
saw around 10 pairs of herons (maybe more) in the trees. they were relatively active this morning.
got a few shots of some flying with sticks (not twigs) in their beaks to build their nests.
i don't have great pictures and if you are looking to go there to take pictures, my personal suggestion is: don't bother.

but...if you want to go and see and hear (because their "GAAAAWWWWKK!!" is very funny to hear) a cool experience, its worth the trip. these GBHs are huge. its kind of surreal to see them nest and fly around.

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Post by: What was that? on March 25, 2010, 09:56:05 AM

I would love to know where this is. Can anyone help?
The info about the light from the parking lot is useful, but where is the parking lot :)
Thanks.
Graham

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Post by: niani.gil on March 25, 2010, 10:10:47 AM

Hi Graham

The heronry is on Leslie street.

Nigil

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Post by: mr.sharp-photo on March 25, 2010, 10:40:24 AM

Quote from: "What was that?"

I would love to know where this is. Can anyone help?
The info about the light from the parking lot is useful, but where is the parking lot :)
Thanks.
Graham

Graham,
If the directions are removed (they were posted below and I thought it would be best to PM the poster and ask him to remove it) you are welcome to PM me and I will tell you where they are.

its a fenced area but i am betting some dumbdumbs will hop the fence and disturb the nesting area. best to not broadcast where the heronry is

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Post by: MEGHAN on March 25, 2010, 03:25:51 PM

Quote from: "yogistewart"

its a fenced area but i am betting some dumbdumbs will hop the fence and disturb the nesting area. best to not broadcast where the heronry is

I agree 100%.
Herons are relativly easy to approach.
But what I have mentioned to a few people is, when they are nesting they stress quite easily, and it is common for them to adandon their nests, chicks and all if bothered too much.
So I agree..I hope no one hops the fence...it is private property. Maybe the farmer will be out there keeping watch.
Meg

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Post by: mr.sharp-photo on March 25, 2010, 04:58:50 PM

besides....
the view is best from a distance. you don't appreciate what you are seeing if you are right underneath the tree.
and any good pair of binoculars or any zoom lens that's 300mm or more will afford you a good view.

picture-wise: the herons are usually obstructed by branches, so you don't get clear shots. but you may get some cool pictures if they're flying with twigs to build their nests.

in my 5 minutes, i saw 5 or so of the herons circling/taking off. its pretty neat to see

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Post by: MEGHAN on March 25, 2010, 06:37:05 PM

Again I agree.
Seeing them from a distance is quite a sight.
We have all been able to get up close shots of GBH's fishing, but this is a place to just watch them as they come and go, building their nests and the endless courtship displays that are put on.
They are constantly circling over and around the tree, showing off for their mates and bringing back sticks and branches and offering them up. It's a very graceful dance to see if the nesting material is accepted.
Anyyone who sees this would find it quite beautiful.
Meghan

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Post by: Vince on March 25, 2010, 10:09:42 PM

Where on Leslie St?

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Post by: MEGHAN on March 25, 2010, 10:41:27 PM

Quote from: "yogistewart"

Quote from: "What was that?"

I would love to know where this is. Can anyone help?
The info about the light from the parking lot is useful, but where is the parking lot :)
Thanks.
Graham

Graham,
If the directions are removed (they were posted below and I thought it would be best to PM the poster and ask him to remove it) you are welcome to PM me and I will tell you where they are.

its a fenced area but i am betting some dumbdumbs will hop the fence and disturb the nesting area. best to not broadcast where the heronry is

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Post by: mr.sharp-photo on March 26, 2010, 09:05:23 AM

i posted some pictures of the same location on its own topic (to not take away from the OP's pics hahaaa)

again, if you want the location and are a trusted birder on this board - just PM one of us.