Wildlife Fine Art Photos: "Purple Herons"

I am passionate for wetlands, mainly because of their fascinating landscapes and wide array of native animals. Birds, especially the migratory ones, are the species most commonly found in these areas, which can be infested with mosquitoes.

Among these birds, I have always been enthusiastic admirers of the purple herons.

The beauty of purple herons is primarily contributed to its unusually vibrant colors. These large birds have purplish-brown plumage and slate-gray wings. The breast, flanks, and scapulars are a blend of chestnut brown and mauve, while the abdomen, cap, and feathers of the crest are black. Most of the neck is white, with black streaks extending over the top of the chest.

Besides its fascinating plumage, the purple heron is also fascinating to observe because of its hunting skills. Like a patient hunter, he can wait 15 minutes without moving to study the surface of the water, in hopes of spotting a prey. He is totally motionless.

All my photos were made from floating blinds in different wetlands. I have been photographing purple herons for years. Yet, I am always surprised when one of them lands in front of me. Despite its large wingspan, the flight of a purple heron is completely silent.

This collection of art photographs devoted to purple herons shows elegant and graceful birds.

For this series, I chose to illuminate the birds with lights and colors. All my photographs have been made in an environment that I have carefully selected according to beauty and serenity. The atmosphere of each photo uniquely exemplifies my artistic vision.