I had a rough, short night last night, then ended up sleeping in to make up for it so today’s post will be rushed. And probably brief.
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday morning there were lots of Black-crowned Night Herons at Bear River MBR but they were unusually spooky so not one of them allowed me a close approach while they were perched. All I got of them were grab shots when they’d fly by unexpectedly.
I caught this immature heron flying toward me with the angled Promontory Mountains and sky in the background. I wish the heron had been a little closer but I do like its bent and well-lit wings and the way its orange eye stands out, even at this flight angle and with the bird fairly small in the frame.
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Seven minutes earlier another immature heron surprised me by flushing from some nearby phrags and flying from right to left past my open pickup window. I got quite a few shots as it flew by but I liked this one best because nearly all of its ventral surfaces are well lit and I like its wing position.
If memory serves, all but one of the many Black-crowned Night Herons I saw yesterday were immature birds. They must have had a successful breeding season.
Ron
“I had a rough, short night last night…” We should have texted — I was up too. 🤨
Your grab shots would be my lifers. Glad some species are breeding successfully in your area. Let’s hope the good outcomes spread.
Thanks, Marty.
I didn’t get “up”. I just laid in bed and stewed about stuff for hours on end. I SHOULD have got up!
Hooray for a successful breeding season. And for these beautiful in flight shots. Hiss and spit for your rough night. I hope it is not repeated any time soon.
Thanks, EC. So do I.
So lovely. You always share such amazing shots! (No i didn’t fall off the face of the earth. )
Thanks, Arwen. Good to know you’re still amongst us… 🙂
Super shots!
Thanks, Charlotte.
Great photos! I saw many last visit too but none wanted photos taken.
April, I couldn’t believe how spooky they were. All of them.
Both good shots, but the 2nd one really excellent. Have really missed seeing them here the past couple years. Some years quite a few stop by and others years maybe just one or two.
Thanks, Everett.
I appreciate you, Ron. Even after a rough night, you serve up my daily breakfast platter of delight. Juvenile night herons! Beautiful. Thank you.
And I appreciate your thoughtful comment, Marcia. Thanks.
That first photo is diabolically wonderful
Love your phrasing, Sallie.
Beautiful! Leading edge of the wings in the 1st photo almost look like snake skin! 😉 Appears they have a good brow bone to help shade their eyes and eye socket seems to be angled down and slightly forward a bit to me?
Hope a nap is in order later!
Thanks, Judy. For me a nap is always in order but today there might be a couple of them.
Seldom see Black-crowned Night Heron in-flight photos. At least I have not. Never really appreciated how beautiful and full their wings are. Really like these. As you point out, great light and wing positions in these photos.
Thank you, Michael. And you’re right, at least for me – I don’t have very many photos of them in flight.