Recommended camera settings#
Focal length needed to frame it#
For a subject about 90 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.
| Distance | ⅓ of frame (FF) | ½ of frame (FF) | ⅓ of frame (APS-C) | ⅓ of frame (MFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 m (16 ft) | 65 mm | 98 mm | 43 mm | 33 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 130 mm | 196 mm | 87 mm | 65 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 195 mm | 294 mm | 130 mm | 98 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 261 mm | 392 mm | 174 mm | 130 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 391 mm | 588 mm | 261 mm | 195 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 651 mm | 980 mm | 434 mm | 326 mm |
About the Great Blue Heron#
The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America and Central America, as well as the Caribbean and the Galápagos Islands. It is a rare vagrant to coastal Spain, the Azores, and areas of far southern Europe. An all-white population found only in the Caribbean and Florida was once treated as a separate species...
Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Field-craft tips#
- White egrets: expose for the whites (−0.7 EV in sun).
- Breeding plumes are most spectacular in spring.
- Herons and egrets stand still for long periods — wait for the strike or take-off and use continuous AF.
- Sightings peak in April, May, June, July, August and September, which is when you'll have the most chances.
Ethics#
- The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
- Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
- Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
- Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.
More Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns#
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Great Blue Heron?
At about 90 cm long, a great blue heron fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 130 mm, or at 20 m with 261 mm.
What shutter speed should I use for a Great Blue Heron?
1/500 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.
When is the best time to photograph a Great Blue Heron?
Observations in North America peak in April, May, June, July, August and September. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.
Sources & licences#
- iNaturalist — Observation data CC BY-NC; photo licence as credited
- Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources