Young Black-crowned Night Heron on ice – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
I’ve mentioned before that Great Blue Herons stay in the Salt Lake Valley over winter even though the temperatures get very cold and so do some of the Black-crowned Night Herons. I had just mentioned that I hadn’t been seeing the Black-crowned Night Herons when I saw this juvenile flying over the Phragmites near a pond at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area and then it landed on the ice close to some open water.
Alert juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 357mm, natural light
Juvenile Black-crowned Night Herons look quite different from the adults in plumage but they have the same general shape. Aren’t those orange eyes brilliant in morning light? And like the American Coot images I posted yesterday from the same session, they both have big feet.
Immature Black-crowned Night Heron – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
I don’t see the Black-crowned Night Herons as often in the winter as I do other times of the year so this young bird was a lovely treat.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Black-crowned Night Heron photos plus facts and information about this species.
A treat indeed! Love the heron images again Mia. And I am really shocked at this find. Cool to see.
Thank you Bryce. There is also an adult Black-crowned in that area, spotted a dead one too with Shyloh, Ron and Jerry yesterday in the same location.
Beautiful photos, didn’t know Herons liked snow and ice:)
Thanks Susan, we do have a few wading birds that stick around here even in the cold and it has been plenty cold lately!
H1! Great light and poses of the bird! You did get beautiful shots. It said I will only get one foot at a time so very cold.Ha ha! I can remmember doing one foot at a time when I went sking. Have a great week!
Thanks Mom! It was very cold and the heron seemed to be on one foot often while I photographed it.
Great photos! I’ve never gotten a close-up photo of a Black-crowned Night Heron, but hopefully I will soon as they are amazing birds.
Thanks Sam, I hope you get your close ups of a Black-crowned Night Heron soon! They are amazing birds.
A fabulous find! Beautiful feathers and orange eye. Black-crowned Night Herons are one of my favorite birds to photograph. Mia, your images are fantastic, as always!
Thanks Julie, they are really lovely birds. Birds make my job as a photographer delightful and fun!
Neat images, Mia!
Thanks Tami!
The juveniles have an exquisite plumage Mia, and you caught them so sharp and colourful.
Thank you Maria, they are lovely birds with interesting plumage.
As with most of the herons I’ve seen his feet look HUGE! I love the eyes and the green cere but boy he does look cold!
Sherry, I know I was cold photographing this bird, my hands went numb even with gloves on. Thanks for your comment.
Love the coloring of this heron.
Thanks Carol, the colors are subtle but very beautiful.
It’s a treat for us as well!
Thank you Charlotte.
Wow. Those are some stunning peepers, and lovely shots.
Thanks biobabbler, those luscious orange eyes will turn red when this bird matures! Cherry red!
Beautiful photos.
Thank you Bob!