Yellow-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.
What a precious memory to hug to yourself.
Beautiful, haunting. What is he thinking I wonder.
Great shot. I had to do a double take also. Snow…..June?? Beautiful photo
Oh! Mia! What wonderful image!!! I’m enjoying it so much…brings flooding back the incredible softness of the sand, warm on top cool underneath, so fine…can almost hear the sound of the waves, feel the cool/warm morning breeze….hear the sound of gentle waves…..I love the bird’s pose, the composition with the grasses…it’s a real winner!
My first thought was that the heron was standing in snow & then I realized that it’s white sand. Wow. Beautiful bird & beautiful image.
Beautiful photo Mia. Exudes solitude.