Quick Shot: Heron in Flight

Blue Herons are on my short list of birds that, no matter what, I'll always take their picture! I've  got hundreds of heron shots, but these birds are so awesome, that I can't help but photograph them every single time they come in front of my lens.

This guy was swimming along the Occoquan Bay when I spotted him flying towards me. What I particularly liked about this guy was that the whole time he was flying, he had his mouth open and his tongue sticking out! Every single photograph I have from his fly-by is like this one.... incredible. 

If any of you are bird biologists (or experts), can you please tell me why he was doing that? 

Shot with the Nikon D800 and 80-400mm lens at Mason Neck State Park.

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Kristen MitchellMason Neck State ParkHeron flying, heron in flight, Heron, Blue Heron, Great Blue Heron, blue heron in flight, Mason Neck, mason neck state park, Mason Neck State Park photography