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Ardea cinerea
This majestic bird had the guts to tease a hungry crocodile (pic 4, 5)... The Grey Heron is a large bird, standing up to 100 cm (39 in) tall and measuring 84–102 cm (33–40 in) long with a 155–195 cm (61–77 in) wingspan.
Bird hide between Komatipoort Gate and Lower Sabie Rest camp.
The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds retreat in winter from the ice in colder regions. It has become common in summer even inside the Arctic circle along the Norwegian coast. Adults have a white head with a broad black supercilium and slender crest, while immatures have a dull grey head. It has a powerful, pinkish-yellow bill, which is brighter in breeding adults. It has a slow flight, with its long neck retracted (S-shaped). This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks.
6 Comments
Oh forgot to explain about the crocodile! He was resting very quietly (with an open mouth). The bird landed quite close to him (2 meters ich), walked around for a while, and then he took off!
I kind of hoped for some action there, but no :) A happy end on this story...
Lovely. I like the photo in full flight. What he said he left the crocodile so angry? I bet some joke about shoes and crocodiles, pic 3.
Thank you for your nice comments Mona, Mathew and Sintija :D
Great photos! :))
Plus :
I liked the pics no. 1, 4, and 5 the best...
1 is picturesque, and 5 is very cool, what with the open - jawed crocodile and the Grey Heron... Was that crocodile going to eat the Heron?
Very nice series.. :)