Sometimes when I am out doing a little birding, and hopefully a little photographing, too, I come across little surprises. Such was the case this morning as I was cruising through Spring Creek Park. I was traveling along the shore of the creek, about 175 yards across at this point, and I happened to see a light colored blob of something in the brush on the other side.
juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron
Putting the binoculars on it, I discovered that it was a juvenile Black-crowned night Heron. He was partially hidden by branches, as he stared down at the water. I wanted to try and get a better photo of him more out in the open. I drove down the shore a little bit and found a spot where I could aim my 500mm len through the brush on my side, and also get a better open shot of the bird. This is the result of that maneuvering around.
juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron
I really like this as I got a better side view of the heron. The photo below is what he will look like when he grows up. I took this photo a few years back along the Tennessee River at Knoxville, Tennessee.
adult Black-crowned Night Heron
Click on any image to see an enlargement, and while your clicking check my new Fine Art gallery.
There’s a group of these birds here in Columbus that sit in the brush alongside water exactly like this fella does- standing on one foot. Good eyes to spot him, Bob!
Thanks, Traci. I love all of the heron species. They are so fascinating to watch.
Love that you worked your way around and got a better view of the juvenile. I also love the image of the adult.
Thanks, Mia. I have to do that a lot down here with so many trees, etc. I don’t have the “luxury” of all my birds being in the wide open, like a couple of Utah photographers I know.
(Hey, I’m just jealous).
Amazing bird.
Third shot is so good.
Thank you so much, Nandini.
Great habitat shot of the night heron Bob! Love photos like this where we see the birds doing their thing.
Thanks, Alison. I would prefer to show more habitat in my photos, too. But I don’t always get chances like these.
Wonderful views of the B-c Night Heron Bob!
Thank you very much, Phil. I appreciate it.
Excellent!
Thanks, Rob.
That’s a great view of the heron because he was in a difficult spot! I love the pic of the adult – what’s with those wonderful curving ‘whiskers’? Beautiful red eyes, too!
Thanks, Jo. Those are part of the adult’s plumage. They might even get a bit longer during breeding.
Great photos..love the blob in the brush..you would really have to look twice to see him. Excellent as always..Have a good evening..
Thanks, Syl, I appreciate it.
Great shots. Come take a look at the bird I took a shot of in my recent article. It looks like a hearing. I couldn’t tell if it was real or not because it just didn’t move. It looked like it was on one leg. In fact, I drove a few miles and turned around and it was still in the same position. Do they stand still without moving on one leg for a good long time?
Thank you very much, Seth. What article is your photograph in?? I couldn’t find it. Maybe you could give me a link. And yes, those herons can stand for a very long time on one leg. They are usually staring at something, hoping to catch a meal. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Third one down on; http://sethsnap.com/2013/01/24/warmth-shines-through/
Okay, now I got it. Yes, that is Great Blue Heron, hunkered down, probably waiting for a catch. They can stand that way for a long time. Makes it difficult if you want a photo of one in flight. I once sat on the ground across a river, my camera at my eye so I wouldn’t miss, waiting for one to take off so I could catch it flying. I sat like that for 45 minutes, but when he flew I got the shot. Of course, my legs got so cramped, I could hardly get up.
Bob, thanks for the info.
45 mins.. wow.
Yes, my wife was sitting on a park bench near by, and she timed it.
How on earth did you spot such a blob in the trees lol. Great photos! I love seeing the juvenile in comparison to the grown. Beautiful post
Well, that ‘blob’ didn’t look natural. Thanks for the compliments on this, Polly.
Great shots. Birds are so photogenic – yet so uncooperative sometimes. You must have the patience of…a photographer of wildlife. There are so many bird species here in Costa Rica, but so many of them move so fast. The parrots are like green bullets – the Macaws are so secretive – I’m focusing on birds that hunt in the water. Stealthy hunters are so much more stationary, except for those diving pelicans.
Ta-ta for now…
I would love to have the opportunity to photograph your birds. They are so colorful. Thanks for the compliments, Shimmy. (Should I call you ‘Shimmy’?
Shimmy? Sure, works for me.
Ta-Ta for now…
Well, I don’t think you are the ‘shardj’. :0(
Oops, I mean shark.
Hey Bob! Great photographs and I still find these ‘little’ herons quite charming and fascinating!
Cheers!
John
Thanks, John, I really appreciate your kind words.