Immature Black-crowned Night Heron warming up in the morning light – Nikon D500, f10, 1/1250, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I spent some time yesterday morning focused on photographing an immature Black-crowned Night Heron at the dawn of the day in the marsh at Farmington Bay WMA. The young Black-crowned Night Heron was positioned where it could enjoy the warmth of the sun rising over the Wasatch Mountains just east of the WMA after spending the night in chilly temps.
Yawning immature Black-crowned Night Heron – Nikon D500, f10, 1/1250, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The immature heron yawned. This was a long yawn for a wading bird, I have twenty-two more images that I took during this yawning session stored on my hard drive now. At the time I took these photos I actually wondered if the bird was going to expel a pellet but it was merely a big yawn.
Immature Black-crowned Night Heron stretching its wings – Nikon D500, f10, 1/1000, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After the yawn the young Black-crowned Night Heron stretched its wings and neck. I took thirty-one images of this behavior.
Preening immature Black-crowned Night Heron in winter – Nikon D500, f10, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
And then as if on cue the immature night heron preened its feathers in the warmth of the morning sun. I took a lot of images while the heron preened, probably too many, but in my experience I’ve noticed that these birds take their time while they preen.
Young Black-crowned Night Heron scratching its bill – Nikon D500, f10, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After the preening session the young heron scratched at its bill with its foot. I could see downy bits of feathers stuck on the end of the bill in a few photos and perhaps those bits of fluff irritated the heron.
Over the past four to five years I have noticed a decline in the numbers of Black-crowned Night Herons that I see in the marshes of Farmington Bay WMA and Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge so I have been happy to see and photograph a few of them on the last two visits I have made to Farmington Bay WMA.
If asked to describe the demeanor of this species in one word I’d have to say that word would be “chill” because they usually seem so calm to me.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Black-crowned Night Heron photos plus facts and information about this species.
Another wonderful series of shots with great commentary. Thanks Mia.
They’re hard to spot…nice!
What a treat to see.
And given the camouflague its plumage gives I am grateful that your eagle eyes spotted it. I fear that it would have to move for me to see it.
GreAt photos, Mia.