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Monday, February 23, 2009

Black-crowned Night-Heron

We're back in snowy NH now, but we'vebeen to FL and GA. I'll show some of my favorite photos from our travels this week.

This is a Black-crowned Night-Heron I photographed in Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, FL. Not an easy bird to find, since it's a "night heron" and emerges at night to hunt for fish. Found it roosting in the mangroves in a fairly open spot. Usually they're tucked way back in and sleeping.

It's also not always easy to photograph them because they're such contrasty birds, being black and white, so the whites often burn out in the digital image. The light was just right, not too sunny. Love the little white feather coming off the back of the head, called an occipital plume. They can have 1-8 plumes, the plumes are longer during breeding. Males and females look alike, females tend to be slightly smaller.

Very cool bird.

5 comments:

Montanagirl said...

Great shot of the Heron. You have a wonderful blog.

Connie said...

That is a very great photo. Enjoyed the extra tidbits of info as well.

Kyle said...

Wow, beautiful detail on that Night-Heron! We see them occasionally here in Houston during the spring and early summer, but rarely get such good looks at them. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to seeing more of your Florida shots!

Montanagirl said...

Great shot of the Heron. Don't see many of those around here!

Unknown said...

cool picture! I have never seen one in my life! just not common around here I guess?