Yellow Crowned Herons

[brewmaster15]

One of the Herons we get here is a Yellow Crowned Heron. They are not common but seem to be around more and more. Last year I photographed adults and juveniles at the end of the summer at a small marsh near where I usually shoot. Its a pretty spot, not alot of traffic. One a whim I stopped there the other day and got lucky, Not just one Yellow Crowned Heron. There were 3 Adults. I have to wonder if they were the adults and chick from last year.

It was a cold breezy day here but It actually worked to my advantage with a few shots.

Yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) Clinton,CT by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) Clinton,CT by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) Clinton,CT by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) Clinton,CT by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) Clinton,CT by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) Clinton,CT by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) Clinton,CT by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) Clinton,CT by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Hopefully these Herons stick around and breed again here.

[Second Hand Pat]

Super nice series of a beautiful bird Al. I have seen these guys only a few times and have a couple photos of one I found at Fort Desoto a while back. The Night Crowned Heron use to be pretty rare but I am seeing these guys everywhere nice. Do the Yellow-crowned only stay in salt water?
Pat

[brewmaster15]

thanks Pat. No they can frequent Fresh water. I have seen them here on lakeshores and on streams.. but most common here in our saltwater marshes.. lots of food in our Estuaries.

[brewmaster15]

So I visited this location a few times the last 2 weeks and its been really great seeing the night herons here regularly. What started as pair and chick last year has turned into at least 6 adults and juvenile as of today's count. I was thrilled except that number is sure to go down by one as one of them is injured pretty seriously.

Heres some pics mostly from yesterday and this morning. I really got many many great shots today.

DSC_5701 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

DSC_5472 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

DSC_5860 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

DSC_5781 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

DSC_5196 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

DSC_5327 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Immature Yellow Crown Night Heron..
DSC_5919 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

DSC_5918 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

more adults..Mirror image
DSC_5395 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

These Herons eat all manner of critters and in this river they love fiddler Crabs and Blue Crabs. I have seen them catch and eat really big blue Crabs with some work..

DSC_2968 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

But Blue crabs are fighters and I can attest to how strong their claws are having had them grab a thumb and draw blood.They can be tough. I think this heron just got one that fought to the end, From what I can tell the Crabs leg is literally stuck out through the neck. The poor bird was still trying to fish but I don't know if can even swallow.

DSC_4184 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

DSC_4187 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

It doesn't look good for this heron.

[brewmaster15]

Had a chance to revisit my Night Heron spot...

yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea)immature by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) immature by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea)immature by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr