A Family of Black-crowned Night-Herons
A few weeks ago I had an exciting surprise discovering a family of Black-crowned Night Herons within our community’s premises. Very exciting because they were also a new lifer for me. 🙂
Juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron
Momma on the ground, keeping an eye on Junior
I zoomed in for a close-up of Momma
Dad was positioned 6′ across the small inlet from Momma and Junior, also on watch
While zooming out on Dad, I spotted a third adult Black-crowned Night-Heron in the grass beyond him
Not one of the adults moved a muscle while I took a few photos. However, Junior seemed unfazed on his perch and continued to move around preening and stretching. I imagined the parents were a nervous wreck with all of Junior’s movement!
I moved my position and took one more photo of Momma with the setting sun reflecting on the water behind her
Boy, you can bet I was tickled with this photo opportunity!
I returned two evenings later about the same time to see if the family had returned. Sure enough, they had; but this time I found them perched within our marina, about 100′ from the previous evening’s water spot, just hanging out.
Momma and Junior Black-crowned Night-Herons
Dad across from them on a piling, again keeping a watchful eye on his family
Photos by Donna 
Great captures Donna! 🙂
Thank you HJ! 🙂
Love the photo album…Really enjoy the shots with end of day lighting.
Thank you so much, Charlie!
Enjoyed your comment about junior right away and liked the photos, too. Great for you that this is a “lifer”.
They were two fun evenings for sure, junior was definitely great entertainment!
Donna – these are amazing! I LOVE the photo with the perfect reflection.
Thanks so much, Kathy, I really had a good time albeit quick so I could leave them be, but what entertainment they were!
What a find!
It was for sure, thanks Martha!
How exciting! Such sweet looking birds, the photo with the sun’s reflection in the water is magical. 😀 x
Thanks Becky, I saw the reflection off to the side so I set up the shot, glad Momma allowed me to get a little closer. 🙂 Junior could have cared less, lol.
Great photos, Donna, and congrats on adding to your life list.
Thank you very much, Rick!
Another fine set of portraits.
Thank you so much, Tom, I was glad they gave me such a great op!
Oh, what a thrill! I felt much the same when I spotted a Green Heron and was able to get some shots off. To see and photograph the whole family plus a friend is definitely being in the right place at the right time. Thanks for posting this family’s photos. hugs
I was thrilled and us birders can relate when we get those right place right time photo ops, for sure! lol Thanks so much Beth! hugs
thoroughly enjoyed the pictures. it looks like you have them trained to pose when asked.
thanks, wouldn’t it be nice to get birds to cooperate at all times. 🙂
It sounds good. I have such problems getting butterflies to cooperate
Beautiful birds well captured. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much!
Lovely captures of the family!!
Wonderful photos.
lovely photos 🙂
I really enjoyed looking at your photos, Donna. These are such gorgeous birds. 🙂
Thank you very much! 🙂