Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron

Description:

I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. I was at my local lake and found this Adult Yellow- Crowned Night-Heron. at first I had no idea what it was I thought it was a Great blue heron but I looked at an app on my IPod and found it's true identity. It is a beauty.

Habitat:

Lives in Wetlands near lakes and swamps

Notes:

This sighting is one of my proudest moments on Project Noah. on July 15, 2014 I was coming back from a trip at River Legacy after not having any luck finding any birds that day. My aunt and my Dad took me to my local lake where I usually go to get photos of common waterfowl. It didn't take me long to find this particular bird. I got out of the car and started to walk around sure there were coots and the common mallard the two most common birds that live there. I walked to the pier area and noticed him standing there on the side of the wire mesh netting that keeps the cobblestones in place. I thought at first it had to have been a Great Blue Heron; but it didn't look right so I just started taking multiple shots. I Took about five but they four others didn't turn out good. finally I had a good capture of the day. I went back to my car and located the picture. Then turned on my IPod and resorted to my bird id app. It came to my surprise that this was a yellow- crowned night heron and a full grown one. I had never seen one at the lake before and I was just like a little kid marveling at what I had just discovered. It just comes to show always check before you assume. It was a real good day after all. the bird at first was a little leery at first I startled him but I just stopped and let him know that I meant him no harm I stayed put and he flew back just a bit but in good range where I could snap the picture. He was not a skittish as some birds are. Some birds if not used to human interaction will not warm up to you and flee for higher areas. Have patients when trying to get that good (as they say "Kodak moment") you might just get it.