This heron was fishing on the towpath side of the Staffs and Worcs canal during the hard weather at the end of November.
Although it was only a few yards from Compton bridge, it did not appear to have been disturbed for some time.
The bird carried on fishing as I got to within perhaps ten yards of it taking pictures. Only when a large group of ducks came up to see if I had food for them did it depart, flying the shortest possible distance to continue its vigil on the other bank.