The Bird Collection

Steadfast Against the Current

In the Current

I love watching herons. Their patience is unmatched—they can stand nearly motionless along the shore or in shallow water for what feels like hours. Then, with startling precision, they strike.

Capturing such a moment requires its own kind of patience. My biggest challenge isn’t the camera—it’s the approach. Herons, like most wildlife, have a keen awareness of their surroundings. Rather than attempting to sneak up, I’ve learned to observe their habits and direction of movement, then quietly position myself ahead of them and wait. It’s not easy, but that makes it all the more rewarding.

In this image, the river rushes around the heron, its movement captured by a slow shutter speed, made possible only by the bird’s stillness. The water becomes a brushstroke of motion, while the heron remains suspended in calm focus—a timeless figure against a backdrop of flowing energy.

Framing was a challenge here. I had to slowly adjust my position, inching upward to separate the heron’s head from the large overhead log. All without breaking the spell or startling the bird. The result is a study in contrasts: motion and stillness, tension and peace, captured in a fleeting yet grounded moment of natural grace.