The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is one of the most widespread and recognizable wading birds in North America, admired for its tall stature, graceful movements, and preference for calm, shallow waters. These herons are commonly seen standing motionless along shorelines or wetlands as they hunt fish, amphibians, and other small aquatic prey, making them a favorite subject for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers.

Great blue herons typically mate and breed from late winter through early summer, with the timing depending on geographic location. In southern regions such as Florida and the Gulf Coast, breeding can begin as early as December, while northern populations may not nest until April or May. They nest in colonies known as rookeries, building large stick nests high in trees, mangroves, or occasionally on isolated islands that offer protection from predators.

Some of the most important breeding and mating areas include Florida’s wetlands and mangrove systems, the Gulf Coast states, California’s coastal regions and Central Valley wetlands, the Pacific Northwest, the Great Lakes region, and river systems across southern Canada. These areas provide the shallow water and abundant food sources necessary for successful nesting and chick rearing.

Throughout the year, great blue herons can be found in a wide variety of habitats as long as shallow water is present. Prime locations in North America to reliably see them include the Florida Everglades, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island, Chesapeake Bay, San Francisco Bay, Puget Sound, and wetland areas surrounding the Great Lakes. While northern populations migrate south during colder months, many herons in warmer coastal and southern regions remain year-round, making them a familiar and iconic presence in North American wetlands and shorelines.

 

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Best Nikon D3200 Settings for Photographing Egrets

1. Use “Aperture Priority” (A Mode) for Most Shots

This gives you control over depth of field and lets the camera handle shutter speed.

Recommended starting point:

• Aperture: f/5.6–f/8 (depending on your lens)

• ISO: 200–400 in bright light, 400–800 in shade

This keeps the bird sharp and helps separate it from the background.

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✅ 2. Prevent White Feathers From Blowing Out

Great Egrets are very easy to overexpose.

Turn on Exposure Compensation

• Set –0.3 to –1.0 EV
  Start at –0.3 and go lower if the bird looks blown out.

Turn on Highlight Warnings ("blinkies") in playback

If white spots blink during review, reduce exposure more.

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✅ 3. Autofocus Settings for Egrets

For standing or slow-moving birds

• AF-S (Single-servo AF)

• Center AF point

• Aim at the eye or head

For flying or active birds

• AF-C (Continuous AF) – Very important

• Dynamic-area AF (9-point) if available

• Keep the focus point on the bird’s upper body

The D3200’s AF isn’t as fast as newer cameras, so tracking is smoother when you start focusing early.

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✅ 4. Shutter Speed Guidelines

Stationary or hunting egrets

• 1/500 sec minimum

Walking, striking, or lifting off

• 1/800–1/1250 sec

Flight shots

• 1/1600–1/2000 sec

If shutter speed drops too low in A mode, raise your ISO.

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✅ 5. Best Metering Mode

Use CENTER-WEIGHTED metering

This helps avoid the sky blowing out the egret’s feathers.

Avoid: Matrix metering in very bright sunlight — it often overexposes white birds.

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✅ 6. Use Burst Mode for Action

• Switch to Continuous High

• Hold the shutter to capture wing positions, strikes, feeding moments.

The D3200 buffer is small, so short bursts of 3–5 shots work best.

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✅ 7. Recommended Lenses for the Nikon D3200

If you already have a lens, tell me the model and I’ll tailor settings to it.
If not, common birding options include:

Budget-friendly

• Nikon 70–300mm f/4.5–6.3 VR

• Tamron 70–300mm VC

• Sigma 70–300mm OS

Better range

• Nikon 200–500mm f/5.6 (excellent for birds)

• Tamron 150–600mm

• Sigma 150–600mm (C or Sport)

Egrets often allow closer approaches, so 300mm can be enough in many wetlands.

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✅ 8. Extra Tips for Egret Photography

Shoot early or late

White birds look best in soft light — less glare, better detail.

Use backlighting for dramatic plumes

Especially during breeding season.

Stay low

Kneeling or sitting gives better reflections and a more intimate perspective.

Watch the histogram

Keep your highlight side from hitting the right edge.

South Florida is a paradise for bird lovers and wildlife photographers alike. From the vibrant pink plumage of the pink Flamingo, to the elegant flight of great egrets and ospreys along the coastline, this region bursts with avian diversity year-round. In this guide, we explore the best birdwatching locations in South Florida, including the Everglades, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, and coastal mangroves, where you can spot both migratory and native bird species. Whether you’re an experienced birder or just starting your photography journey, learn how to identify, photograph, and appreciate the unique birds that make South Florida one of America’s premier birding destinations.