20 July 2022

Purple heron at the Pond - The Paddocks Shopping Centre

Purple Heron : Paddocks Milnerton, Cape Town

Purple heron  at the Pond - Paddocks Shopping Centre
Purple heron getting ready to fly

Purple Heron
Over the weekend I made reference to a purple heron in flight on the Birdlife South Africa Facebook Group (in flight – against the backdrop of Table Mountain) that they rather keep to themselves. Over the years I have had few opportunities to see them close-up and always ended up photographing them in flight.

I’ve never seen a purple heron not in flight – here we have a purple heron next to a small pond close to The Paddocks Shopping Centre in Millerton (about 5 km’s from where I see / photograph them overhead at Woodbridge Island).

This was a long-range record shot with a 'close-up' camera kit predominantly setup for flower photography, but was pleased to see the heron next to the pond – also concerned that they venture into busy suburban (traffic / people) areas. At least the small park is fairly well maintained.

The Paddocks Milnerton Bird Species Index >>

Canon Kit Used:
  • Canon EOS 6D
  • Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L ISM USM Lens (Just managed to remove the extension tube in time)

Exposure Settings:
  • Av Mode
  • Aperture: f/5.6
  • Shutter Speed: 1/400s
  • Focal length: 300mm

© Vernon Chalmers Photography

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