Black-crowned Night Heron + Birds of the Week Invitation XLI
I have not seen many Black-crowned Night Herons except directly along the ocean shoreline. I didn’t take these two pictures locally, but down along the shore in Connecticut. I’m not sure they live locally. If they do, I’ve haven’t seen them. I suspect they like living closer to the ocean and we are a bit more inland than their usual haunts.
On the other hand, we have a lot of Great Blue Herons nesting along the Blackstone and its tributaries. The Great Blues are stunning and highly photographable. They don’t seem particularly afraid of people. If you don’t make noise, they are more focused on finding fish than you and your camera. While they are waiting for a fish, they stand completely still, often for close to an hour making them easier than usual to photograph. Suddenly, they spot a fish, a quick motion and down the long neck goes the fish. A few moments later, they lift off for their home high in the trees along the river.
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Categories: #Birds, #gallery, #Photography, Anecdote, Blackstone Valley, Swans and herons
LONG WHITE NECKS 
SERENDIPITY - SEEKING INTELLIGENT LIFE ON EARTH 
Beautiful
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When everything works, sometimes you get great pictures. This was one of those days … or several days … when everything went exactly right.
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Yes, it can be magic or uninspiring. Great to get lucky.
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Just outstanding photographs. All credit to Marilyn
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I was in the right place with the right camera, lens and light. I wish I could have that happen more often.
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amazing pics, Marilyn
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I’m really proud of some of those pictures. They are among the best bird pictures I’ve ever taken and this was a full-grown male with his mating plumage on display. It was a rare opportunity and I’m lucky to have been there at the right moment.
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And it also takes a talented photographer
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And the right lens and decent lighting. But you know, great photography is one of those things which depend on tools, light and pure luck. If all that comes together and you are where you need to be to get the shot, all is well. In this case, I had a long lens, good light, AND I was standing in the right place. After that, the rest of the skills came into play. In an art that depends so much on just being in the right place at the right time with the right equipment and appropriate light, it is always wise to thank the Gods of the Arts for letting you be there when you needed to be there. If just ONE of those things isn’t working in your favor, it’s all for naught.
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Great shots Marilyn
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If you live near the shore or along a river with fish, you might see whatever lives near you. The Goliath and the Grey live in Asia and North Africa. These are such BIG birds and can fly very long distances easily — but they eat fish, so you need to be near water that has fish plus crabs and other stuff. Next time you are along the shore, look for them. They are very big, yet blend into the scenery.
While I was taking all those pictures, Garry couldn’t see the bird I was shooting. I didn’t want to talk loudly enough to point the bird out to him, but it was as if the bird wasn’t there. His eyes completely missed him. Binoculars can help though I never remember to bring mine. I can’t handle both binoculars and cameras. Too many things to carry.
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Unfortunately I live in a place far from sea. The river we have flowing near Lahore only has water when flooded.
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That would probably preclude your seeing any of the shore birds. But there are plenty of other birds. We don’t see these birds at home, either. We have to go where they live along the river. They don’t fly into our area at all.
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Yes that’s true. Over here it’s a densely populated urban area so we only see small birds who aren’t afraid of humans
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Hi Marilyn, these are magnificent photographs. We get grey herons here and they are also elegant and beautiful.
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I think all the Great Herons are magnificent and as far as I can tell, they are very much alike except for color — and even that isn’t very different. The great blue and the great grey look only slightly different and sometimes, depending on light, look the same. They are amazing birds and watching them fish is fascinating too.
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Yes, indeed, I have had the pleasure of watching them fish.
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Interesting that you spotted juveniles of the black-crowned night herons. We don’t get the great blue in our parts; it’s a lovely bird
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I think the juveniles are less shy of people. I see a lot more juveniles of ALL species than full-grown adults. Especially because so many birds nest in our hedges and woods and the moms bring the nestlings here for their first meal. Mostly, the adults here ignore me unless I get a little too close or make a noise they don’t like. They were trying to drink the frozen water today so I dumped the ice and put tepid water in the big bowl. It will freeze overnight, but at least they can get a fresh drink today.
The Great Herons — I think there are three of them — a Blue, a Grey, and the Goliath Heron (and a variety of smaller ones) — which is huge and gorgeous with a really blue body and up to an 80 inch wingspan. They live as far as I can tell, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. I’m surprised you don’t get any of the big herons because they are all over the place and will travel far and wide to find fish. Our Blues are concentrated along freshwater rivers, but the grey herons are on all the continents where the blues aren’t. Also, there’s the Cocoi Heron (looks like a smaller version of the Goliath) in South America, but they aren’t one of the giants.
In theory, you should be able to see both the Grey Heron and the Goliath Heron since both live in southwest and south Asia and many coastal areas of Europe and I’m guessing North Africa too. These birds could easily fly across the Mediterranean. Strong flyers!
I wish we had the Goliath here. THAT would be a great photograph and they are magnificent.
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