A funny thing happened to me on the way to the forum hospital this morning. I was taking my wife over to get a cataract removed from her right eye. As we passed the old K-mart building we noticed high water from yesterday’s rains in the bar ditch running along side. In it there was a Yellow-crowned Night Heron, (Nyctanassa violacea), wading in the rushing water. It is a bird that is not seen in this area all the time.
Gosh, what to do. What to do. Do I stop for photographs or rush my wife to the hospital? Easy decision. We stopped for photographs. Hey, it’s not like Ann was pregnant or anything. Besides, we were running early. I was able to pull into the parking lot alongside and use my Canon EOS7D and 100-400mm lens from the car window.
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Ann was just as thrilled with the babies photos as I was. She didn’t get upset at all and we made it to the hospital with time to spare. By the way, the surgery went fine and she is anxious to get back to birding tomorrow and try out her new “eyes”.
To join the fun and vote in the current Bird ID quiz just click here.
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 
Bob, I’m in San Antonio and drive a river barge on the San Antonio River. We have about 50 living in the bald cypress tree’s lining the river. How can you tell the difference between the male and female at a glance.
There is no difference between the female and the male. If you see one without the yellow crown it is a juvenile. Thanks for writing, Terry. I appreciate it and hope you will visit again.
We saw these in a high nest in the woods by a creek in Coppell! Have pictures but the lighting was just not right to be so vivid. They have 2 or 3 babies too!
Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it.
Haha, you made me laugh Bob! 😀 Great photography fun, and I really liked the two poses of this bird. 🙂
I hope her eyes are fine now, wishing her all the best!
It is so nice to make you laugh, Nandini. I am so glad you enjoy my posts. And Ann is feeling great now. 🙂
Such a great bird. Hope all is well with Ann. One of these days I will be having the same surgery.
When you need to have it done, don’t hesitate. It is marvelous, how well you will see afterwards. It only take about 10 minutes. 🙂
I always enjoy the humor in your posts Bob and this one was no exception. Glad to hear that the surgery went well AND that you got some nice bird shots. Another species that I’ve never seen, though I did spend some quality time with a Black-crowned this morning.
Thanks, Ron. I’m glad I give you a laugh once in awhile. I think the Black-crowned Night Herons might have a sense of humor. To me, they always seem to have laughter in their expressions. 🙂
Great photos Bob! And I am glad Ann is doing well!!!
Thanks, David. Ann’s great, we went birding this afternoon after she got the bandage thingee removed, and we saw 36 different species. 🙂
Congratulations on your babies, I mean great photos, Bob! 🙂 What a beautiful bird. I’m glad Ann’s surgery went well. I think your Bird ID quiz is such a great idea that I have borrowed it for my own blog!
Hey, that’s great, Jo. I’m glad you liked the idea. 🙂
I love that you took your camera and gear with you for your drive to the hospital 🙂 Nice photos.
My camera is in the car all of the time. I learned my lesson several years ago when I missed out on some great shots. Thanks for the comment, Shelly.
Glad surgery went well..and the photos too…lol..you have a wonderful sense of humor…
Thanks, Syl, glad I could give you another chuckle. 🙂
Glad to hear the surgery went well and that you had TIME to get these images too!
Thanks, Mia. Ann is anxious to get back out tomorrow. 🙂
I do enjoy your sense of humor Bob!! And this does show you were in the scouts: always be prepared!! Thanks for sharing the laugh and the beautiful bird. Glad Ann will be back to spotting those birds tomorrow.
My humor is what has kept me in such good health. Thank you for your kind words, Elizabeth. 🙂
Glad everything went well!
Thanks, Ted. Everything’s great. 🙂
Cool photos, Bob! How fun to find this bird and have your camera ready to capture moment! Glad to hear Ann’s surgery went well!
Thanks, Karen. A good lesson in always having a camera ready. 🙂
Thanks for the beautiful photos. I have yet to see this bird and I look forward to it!
Thanks, Lisa, I hope you will visit my blog again. I appreciate your kind words. 🙂