The black crowned night heron was sitting on a log in the turtle pond down by the Bay of Quinte. How patiently he sat there watching the water.
I very quietly walked through the trees to the shore to get some closer photos. He was perched on an old tree stump in a still pond just off from the bay.
Through some Google searching I discovered that this heron is the most widespread around the world. It is most active at night feeding in the same spots as other herons. His legs are shorter than other herons, and he has two long feathers at the back of his head.
It was quite content to sit there and I got several similar photos of him perched on the stump. But as soon as he heard a very chatty group of morning walkers on the trail he took off.
I tried to follow where it went but I just wasn’t fast enough.
It was spotted another time on the turtle platform in the same pond.
The legs are yellow or yelllowish green but during mating season the legs are pinkish. Also during mating season they have 2 long white head feathers.
Look at how red the eyes are. These herons sit, without moving for ages, watching the water for an unsuspecting fish to swim by.
Patience paid off while we were watching. In a swift movement he had dipped into the water and captured some lunch.
I emailed a local birding expert, Terry Sprague, of Nature Stuff and he thinks that this one was probably just migrating through. He told me it does nest at Presqu’ile Provincial Park which is about a 40 minute drive from us.
Heron sightings:
Myrtle
I truly have enjoyed all the photos and information on the Black Crowned Night Heron. This another one I knew nothing about and a good looking heron. Have a nice long weekend.
Eileen Wise
Hello, The BC Night Heron is a great bird. Always nice to see them out in the open. Love the photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend. PS, thank for your visit and comment on my blog.
Crafty Gardener
I spotted these black crowned night herons while out walking down by the bay right here at home in Ontario. According to our local naturalist they were probably passing through as not known to nest at the bay, though they do nest in other areas along the shore of Lake Ontario. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you get some good bird watching this weekend.
Lavender Dreamer
You took amazing photos, especially with the catch of the day! We have them here in Florida but don’t see them very often. They are truly gorgeous with the perfect feathers!
Crafty Gardener
I was really pleased with that photo Diane, thank goodness herons aren’t the quick moving birds that others are. Thanks for stopping by.
Tammy S Asad
I was thinking his legs were kinda short. You got some nice photos.
Crafty Gardener
Thanks Tammy, glad you stopped by this week.
Diane
Wonderful photos and well done with it catching its supper. Have a good day, Diane
Crafty Gardener
Thanks for visiting Diane. Your photos of the little owl are lovely.
Anni
Just look at that eye! These birds have so much patience. And you don’t know how many times I have tried getting a photo of their flight…great shot. Excellent series.
We all, at I’d Rather B Birdin’, appreciate you sharing with us. Thanks!
Crafty Gardener
One of my personal challenges to to capture birds in flight, and it sure is hard sometimes. I never know till the photos are uploaded to the main computer if I got a good photo or not. Thanks for stopping by.
Phil
Lovely photos Linda. Birds often return to where they know to find food.
Jennifer Jilks
Aren’t the herons wonderful?!