Yellow-crowned Night Heron and morning solitudeYellow-crowned Night Heron and morning solitude – Nikon D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 250, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 80-400mm at 400mm, natural light

This image was taken in June of 2009 at the north beach of Fort De Soto County Park and I’ve always liked it. It was so quiet on the beach that day, as I recall I was one of the only bird photographers there and I saw very few other people.

I did see and photograph this adult Yellow-crowned Night Heron standing on a grassy sand dune overlooking the Gulf of Mexico in beautiful, soft light. I sat on the sugar sand and photographed this night heron for about five minutes and enjoyed spending time with it alone. I knew at the time I would be leaving Florida and heading west so I savored every second that I spent watching the bird and hearing the waves push onto the shore of a place I held dear to my heart.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Yellow-crowned Night Heron photos plus facts and information about this species.