Recently I published several photographs of adult Black-crested Night Herons roosting together.
The kids were there too. Just didn’t get clear shots while following the adults.
These juvenile also are part of that same flock.
Young Herons
Tag Archives: birds
Peaceful Coexistence
The stumps must be a nice location.
A Great Egret and Tricolored Heron didn’t seem to have any problem being this close.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina.
Working Late (2)
The Heron had collected moss but now the sun had dropped and the bird was flying almost into the sunlight. (Photographs best viewed large)
Since I was close when the bird first landed to gather moss I was able to pan with him as he took flight.
At the time I didn’t realize how good the light was. I thought there was a chance the last shots would be blown out with the bird directly in the setting sun.
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This was the last trip for materials. The female suddenly left the male in charge and went to hunt.
Charleston, South Carolina.
Working Late (1)
Sun was setting but this Great Blue was working hard at gathering nesting materials.
The fact that I was there was not an issue. The big soft Spanish Moss was more important.
He had made several trips for this treasure and light was fading fast.
Phoebe On A Knee
Cypress trees have roots that grow straight up above the ground, called a ‘knee’. Trap might be a better name since you cannot avoid tripping on them.
Eastern Phoebes use them as perches to look over the waters surface for small insects. Swamps have Cypress Knees, insects, so of course Phoebes love to be here.
When you spot a Phoebe it’s best to focus the camera on the Knee. The bird will almost always return to the perch after each dive for an insect.
Ibis Settling In
A new routine for the end of day, Ibis flocking.
Just before dark they have started to arrive, in a Cypress tree that has always been a Heron roost. Maybe not this year though.
It might be hard for a Heron to get comfortable after 10-15 of these guys swoop in all around you. They like to mumble to each other, a lot.
You Can Hear For Miles, Great Blue Calls
A unique sound, not what you would expect, but one you will not forget.
The call is deep and raspy, almost a long drawn out cough.
The Great Blue leans back and stands up tall.
Most calls are reserved for their mates. Early in the year calling out for them to return to a nest, and later when a mate needs the other to return.
When out photographing you will hear them from a long ways. For me the call tells me to walk a little faster, the Herons are on the move.
Charleston, South Carolina.
Young Black-crowned Fly By
Juvenile Night Heron quickly passing by.
For a medium sized bird they are fairly fast.
I managed to grab a decent number of shots, but like I said…fast.
These are they only two photographs worth publishing.