The fifth day of the eleventh month of the year of the OP

LOUISIANA HERON

I have spoken of the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine Florida as a place in the early spring to photograph long leg wading birds.

http://www.alligatorfarm.com/

This is one of them, the tri-colored or Louisiana heron.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricolored_Heron

Like most of these wading birds, they are wary and cannot be approached easily. A friend of mine always employed the "Don't make eye contact stalk", convinced that if she didn't look at the bird it would not fly away. Well, that's sorta like believing a congressman/woman is going to do as he/she promised as soon as you turn your back. Chances are good it ain't gone to happen.

Most tack sharp and close images of these types of birds, that you see in magazines and books, probably came from this location. From early March through May the board walk area is littered with photographers of all calibers and I would guess that hundreds of thousands of images are made here each year. Their website will keep you abreast of the progress of the bird's entire procedure from mating, nest building, to getting the little ones in flight. Fascinating place.

I have found two circumstances where one can approach these birds and capture some decent photos with a middle length lens. This one was with a 200 mm lens and obviously I was right down his throat.

The first set-up is when they are feeding and their mind is intent upon snatching some poor critter just under the surface of the water. These birds are fast. But when their attention is diverted, one can get closer, eye contact not withstanding.

The other set-up is when they are in a rookery and mating. Then they are totally distracted and one can get really close. I have had immature birds walk along the railing and peck on the lens as I was taking pictures.

Of course we men knew this all along. Food and sex can do all kinds of crazy things to critter behavior.

The bottom photo is of the rookery at the Alligator Farm and the top is of a Louisiana heron who will now, at least in spirit, make the trip from Florida to the Waterfowl Festival in Maryland.