Purple Heron Majesty

Although much more low-key in appearance than the flamingo (see yesterday's blip), the Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea; héron pourpré in French) is one of our favorite birds. It's closely related to the European grey heron (and, for that matter, to the great blue heron of the Americas).

The purple heron is a summer visitor to parts of southern Europe (including here in the Camargue) and winters in Africa. We encountered this individual by the side of the road on our usual circuit near our gîte in Gageron. We approached gradually with the car, taking numerous shots--less aethetic than this, and eventually it took off, landing in this nicely photogenic spot. A grey heron would have flown when we first stopped the car (25-30 meters away). I wonder if this less wary behavior of the purple heron--which we have noticed before--is due to the fact that it is not around for the hunting season in France (fall at least), and the grey heron is.