Herons and other wading birds have returned to our ponds. I just love looking at these birds, which hide in plain sight a lot of the time. I love the plumage, the carriage, the coloring of the great blue heron. It’s the tallest of the herons and can often been seen standing in the water near snags.
On Saturday, I saw an American bittern for the first time. This is a much smaller wading bird than the heron. It’s not uncommon, but it’s hard to spot because of its brown-and-white camouflage. The bittern has a habit of sticking out its neck, supposedly to make it look bigger than it is.
I would never have noticed this bird if a German tourist hadn’t pointed it out to me.
Are there more green herons around the ponds than formerly? Or am I just getting better at seeing them? This is a young green heron, identifiable because of the white streak running down its throat and chest.
From the side, one can see how undeveloped this bird is. I love the coloring of the green heron. Here one can see some of the feathers of his crest, which are often erect when the heron moves.
harley says
Celia, those are some seriously very, very good bird pictures! The clarity is remarkable. . . . . I liked trying to spot the bittern in the second picture. . . . As for your comment about whether there are more herons now than “before,” they would only be there if enough food (fish) was around. I think the park district has been making an effort and spending money to try to keep the ponds healthy.
Celia says
Thanks, Harley! I just happened to have my more powerful camera with me yesterday, when I saw the green heron and the great blue. I find it more difficult to use, but for birds at a distance it’s just the thing. I do think the ponds are getting ever more healthy, and I have read that the herons have flocked to the South Pond (and perhaps also to the North P) because the park district cut down some of their favorite trees elsewhere, displacing them. I wish I could remember the details.
This is just a great season to get out and enjoy all the birds.
harley says
When time gives me a moment I will get to both the north and south ponds. Again, those are really great pictures and they are artfully done. You should try to find a venue (magazine, contest, museum, etc etc) where they can be displayed to the general public in some way.
Celia says
Thanks Harley; that is generous praise and a good idea! I very much enjoy the results of my photography–the hard work is really in putting it forward. Thank you for the encouragement. CHC