Monday, October 20, 2008

Black Crowned Night Heron

The first picture is of the small lake at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. On one side there is nothing but trees, and the minute you walk in you feel as if you've entered a tropical forest. The temperature drops a little because it is completely shaded and the outside sounds disappear. You feel as if you've stepped into anothe place and time. All you hear are the occasional chirp of the birds, a squawk of a goose or the cry of a peacock. It's easy to imagine you're in a jungle, machete in hand to chop away at the lush vegetation only you don't need it here because there is a clear path to walk through.


It's quiet, and at the edge of this mini tropical forest is this lake. I'm not actually admiring the lake because on this side of the lake it actually looks really dirty. The dirt beneath my feet is wet but I love the serenity and how quiet it is. I take a couple of pics.


I turn and start to continue on my path and just happen to look down and I see this bird just sitting on the edge of the lake, the lower portion of its body out of view. I snap the picture.


It turns to look at me trying to figure out if I'm going to come closer in which case it will have to move. You know how birds don't like us to get too close. It watched me and I watched it. I think it realized it didn't have to worry about me and let me continue to take pictures.

When I'm done I smile and say, "Thank you Mr. Bird". I looked it up. I think it's a Black Crowned Night Heron. If I've got it wrong feel free to correct me. I'm still learning. :-)

18 comments:

bluedreamer27 said...

wow its was so lovely i never been in that kind of place but i wish so
i love nature for they were so relaxing right?
have a great day thanks for sharing another great photos of yours i love it
God bless thanks for visiting my just an avid fan
your link wa been put in my blog "bluedreamer's Top five "
have a great day again

Becky said...

I'd say you are exactly right. It is the Black- crowned Night Heron. What a special find. We saw one 4 years on a trip to Florida.
That lake is lovely and what a grand place to go and relax. It must transform you into another world.
Have a happy Tuesday.

Jayne said...

Wonderful shot of the heron! It's so lovely to find a place where we can tune everything else out and just "be."

me ann my camera said...

Beautiful photos of the Night Heron!!!

Woody said...

Very Nice Photos. Looks like a peacefull place to visit..

Anonymous said...

How nice that they left/created a natural habitat for critters and people to enjoy!

Rosemarie said...

I am loving your bird photos lately!

Mary said...

It's very beautiful! I haven't seen that particular heron before. What great shots of the heron and its habitat both. Your patience paid off :-)

Unknown said...

Beautiful images...the 3rd one the closeup is a beautiful shot. Birds normally don't give us too many options, given the fact that you have shot this night heron against light, its really well captured.

The Birdlady said...

Oh gosh, what a great bird photographer you are becoming - so quickly!

Aisha said...

That bird looks so amazing! Wow! Beautiful. You had an awesome opportunity to see it in real and take a photo of it.

Anita said...

That is absolutely beautiful... I LOVE birds! What wonderful photos...

Anonymous said...

Whoa, that's just fabulous. Congratulations on some very fine shots!

Mike said...

Stunning looking bird, wish we got them over here.

Anonymous said...

Great collection of images! The details and colours are spot on.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

T: Outstanding photos of the heron. You captured it so well.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh the first photo on this post is lovely! A paradise!

Knatolee said...

Beautiful photos! We get black-crowned night herons at the conservation area near us, but they head south at this time of the year.

Your photography is lovely!