This Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is usually timid when we see him in the refuge. However, on this day, he had found the perfect fishing hole and wasn’t willing to give up his spot with its abundance of food. Paying no attention to our presence, he stood intently, watching and waiting, before methodically pulling out one crawfish after another.









“If you spot an opportunity and are really excited by it, throw yourself into it with everything you’ve got.” ~Richard Branson
👏 very nice. And yes, they are shy 😂
Thanks, Ted. I was glad this one was distracted and stuck around.
Beautiful night heron photos.
Thanks, Timothy. I was amazed that it let us watch it for so long.
Beautiful bird with its markings Rebecca – you got some great shots and the video was so interesting how it is slowly stalking and taking those big, slow steps, then nabs its crawfish. Does it bite it to kill it, then eat it from the ground? I was wondering if this Yellow-crowned Night Heron is like a Great Blue Heron and swallows them whole?
It used its bill to stop them and shake them apart and then eat the main part whole from what I saw. Then I thought it was interesting that it would go over to the water and get a drink.
I kept turning its back so I couldn’t tell how it ate it. Pretty smart to do that, rather than attempt to eat it whole. Washing it down, then it took those big, slow steps.
What a crested beauty! Fascinating to what it hunt, stepping oh-so-carefully, then lunge. Down the hatch!
Good description! Thanks, Eliza.
These birds are so amazing. Anita
They really are quite interesting. Thanks, Anita.
Excellent shot! Looking beautiful 👌
How wonderful you were able to get such close looks and great photos! Thank you for sharing.
This little guy helped me out by holding really still. 🙂 Thanks, Tanja!