2 Different Heron Species Out In The Open

Yellow-crowned Night herons used to be a species that I was trying hard to find for the first time. Once I found my first one, it seems that I see them fairly often down at the shore. This is the first time that I've seen one standing on a deck, giving me a very good view. it flew off after my first attempt at a photo though.

Great Blue Herons are by far the most common herons I see. There's even a few hanging around Connecticut in the winter. Sometimes I don't bother trying to take pictures of them because I see them so often that I take them for granted.

  I decided to snap a photo of this one out in the water on a somewhat foggy morning. I forgot I even took it until I uploaded my photos. I'm glad I did take the photo because it reminds me of the way an artist my paint it, with the blurred reflection. It gives it a different look with such a plain grey background.
 

Birds At The Shoreline In The Summertime

I have less of an appetite for birding in the summer but there is still lots to see, especially along the shoreline. It's always nice to see the young Osprey on the nest with their parents.This Snowy Egret seem to be opposites in more than one way.                It's interesting to compare wading birds side by side.

This is a very blah photo but at least it showed me the yellow-tinted crown on the Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Usually, it appears to be more white than yellow.

Summertime is my least favorite time of the year to be out bird-watching but it is scenes like these that continue to keep me interested.

A Peak At A Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

This is not the picture I would hope for but is my only in-focus picture of a Rose-breasted grosbeak this year. It is sightings like these that keep me going in the summer.

Summer Break

There comes a time in June when the migrant action slows down. it becomes more difficult to see birds through the expanding foliage and bugs start to stalk you. When I find myself running from deerflies it's time to take a break and change strategy. I will try to make it out earlier in the morning at select spots for shorter durations.

During my last trip out I watched some nesting Killdeer. At one point, they chased after a hawk.

There has been a Bald Eagle hanging out at this same branch for many months now. Not a bad set-up when you're king of the marsh!

I hope to get back out to a place that is cool and shady early in the morning this weekend. One or two hours of sedentary birding and I will be done for the day!