Thursday, November 4, 2010

Black-crowned Night Heron feeding a juvenile

Birding Hilton Head Island, SC and Pinckney Island at the Ibis Pond RookeryThe Black-crowned Night Heron has always been a favorite of mine (the night owl thing and all...), so I was especially happy when I saw the adult feeding the juvenile. Last year I saw a few adults, but no nests...and no young, but this year I saw at least eight adults and three juveniles (and this in the middle of the day!). Unlike the Tricolored Herons from the earlier posts, the Black-crowned Night Herons were nesting in the rookery proper across the mote, so viewing wasn't quite as close, but this juvenile had climbed out of its nest and into the open. As I was walking I caught the movement out of the corner of my eye as the baby flapped his wings, begging for food.

Begging...

Feeding...

Satisfied for three seconds...

Begging...

Running to the store for more food...

The store is far away...

"I'm soooooo alone..."

"Are you my mother?"

Oh my gosh...this was the coolest thing to witness. Our little Black-crowned Night Heron tried so hard to get the White Ibis to feed him, but the poor ibis had no idea what to do. You could just feel "of all the limbs to land on, I had to pick this one..." was going through his head. Soon enough he flew off, much to the juvenile's protestations! When reviewing the photos later, I laughed out loud when I saw the size of that baby's maw!

p.s. I was just over at the new BirdingBlogs.com, and Dawn featured me as her first Bird Blogger of the Week. Click here to check out the new blog.
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44 comments:

  1. Birding is Fun!November 4, 2010 at 10:07 PM

    I've really been enjoying all your baby heron/egret posts as well as your sweet painting. Great work! I apologize for not commenting more often to express my amazement and gratitude for your talents.

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  2. KellyNovember 4, 2010 at 10:13 PM

    :-) Thank you....I don't know if I have talent, I just love the birds. They occupy most of the thoughts in my head. Pinckney Island makes these photos easy. In just four or five hours you will see so many amazing sights there...and each day you go back something new is happening.

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  3. Dawn FineNovember 4, 2010 at 10:29 PM

    Hee hee..I love your narration to these Awesome photos! What a treat!

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  4. Tammie LeeNovember 4, 2010 at 11:18 PM

    this is amazing to see. I know so little about birds. Amazing also how different the baby and mom look. Such a funny tale you share. Thank you.

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  5. Betsy Banks AdamsNovember 4, 2010 at 11:18 PM

    Hi Kelly, Wow ---this may be your best set of photos yet... I love the Black-crowned Night Heron. What a fabulous bird.... And that juvie is precious.... Love that last picture....

    Amazing set of photos..
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  6. MargaretNovember 5, 2010 at 12:12 AM

    The baby is so expressive - this is really a funny post. I love your last few posts... such amazing photography and I must put Cumberland on our vacation list. Went to the "gap" hiking years ago. We also enjoyed Turkey Run State Park in Indiana. Great hiking.

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  7. Elizabeth SeaverNovember 5, 2010 at 3:02 AM

    Your photos are just fabulous--what a great catch! And the commentary is so funny.

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  8. ElaineNovember 5, 2010 at 3:22 AM

    I laughed out loud too at that last photo! That little guy is just so adorable. The whole series of shots are wonderful, but it kind of made me think of when my kids were all little......

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  9. JayneNovember 5, 2010 at 6:38 AM

    Oh, I loved that book as a kid! And that is a perfect caption for that photo!

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  10. Dan HuberNovember 5, 2010 at 6:40 AM

    wow, some more amazing shots. Very cool.

    dan

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  11. Kerri FarleyNovember 5, 2010 at 7:29 AM

    What an awesome post! I have been a bit scarce in blogland lately but it's ALWAYS a pleasure to see what you have posted.
    This post brightened my day!

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  12. Bill S.November 5, 2010 at 8:13 AM

    Congrats. What a fantastic post. I love the pictures and the writing. You do a great job.

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  13. MontanagirlNovember 5, 2010 at 8:21 AM

    Those are just magical! Terrific series, Kelly. And your narration made me laugh. Keep up the good work!

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  14. Laure FerlitaNovember 5, 2010 at 8:48 AM

    Too funny! You've outdone yourself on these! And I absolutely love that last image!!!

    Good for you on the Bird Blog of the Week recognition!!

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  15. Hilke BrederNovember 5, 2010 at 9:02 AM

    Another hit, Kelly! How many more do you have up your sleeve? Marvelous pictures!

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  16. Sarah KnightNovember 5, 2010 at 9:28 AM

    Beautiful shots!
    Birds are adorable when they're being unintentionally goofy :D

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  17. LúciaNovember 5, 2010 at 9:34 AM

    Nice shots!
    Very big juvenile!!!
    I love its face on the last photo, it makes me laugh!
    Have a lovely weekend kelly!

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  18. RoyNovember 5, 2010 at 9:41 AM

    Nice shots, Kelly! I've never been able to get close enough to the small Herons - Black-crowned, Yellow-crowned, and Green - to get a decent shot. In Newport they're pretty people shy and have stayed out of even my telephoto range. Good work!

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  19. jyothisethuNovember 5, 2010 at 9:58 AM

    Wonderful set of pictures...
    It really felt like reading a story...

    Went through the blog to find out wonderful pictures...

    You are a great photographer...

    congrats...

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  20. grammie gNovember 5, 2010 at 10:56 AM

    Hi Kelley...great post of mother and child ahhhh!!! the flustrations of motherhood with demanding children!!!
    Beautiful!!

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  21. holdingmomentsNovember 5, 2010 at 11:32 AM

    Another amazing set of pictures Kelly. That last one made me laugh out loud too!

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  22. Debbie Miller @HooootOwlNovember 5, 2010 at 12:39 PM

    Incredible moments captured! A joy to view. The last one "Are you my mother?" had me rolling on the floor!

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  23. Out on the prairieNovember 5, 2010 at 1:14 PM

    What a hoot, I tried to imagine how the ibis could feel. Get this kid away from me!Love the pics and narration.

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  24. UnknownNovember 5, 2010 at 1:15 PM

    I'm blown away! Those are the very best Black-crowned Night Heron shots ever taken! I am embarrassed to admit how jealous I am, too. You have no idea how much I want to see even one of these birds. They are all around me, but I can't find them. Awesome post!

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  25. Warren BakerNovember 5, 2010 at 1:19 PM

    A great run of Heron shots Kelly. They are amazing birds - aren't they all though :-)

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  26. Julie G.November 5, 2010 at 1:58 PM

    So glad I came across your blog through a recommendation from the fabulous Dawn Fine(BirdingBlogs.com). Fantastic photos and wonderful narrative! A joy to view your blog! I will definitely visit again. Your talent abounds!

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  27. BirdingMaineNovember 5, 2010 at 3:02 PM

    WOW, simply incredible photography Kelly!

    Congrats on the Bird Blogger of the Week!

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  28. UnknownNovember 5, 2010 at 4:36 PM

    Wonderful shots!

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  29. AnonymousNovember 5, 2010 at 6:15 PM

    It's got the funkiest hardstyle ever! I've always wondered what young herons look like - the grey herons we get here never look young or old.

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  30. Janice KNovember 6, 2010 at 10:46 AM

    These pictures are all so special. The expresions and "attitude" of the baby really told the story that you shared.

    I always look forward to see what you will post next.

    Have a beautiful day!

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  31. CindyNovember 6, 2010 at 11:12 AM

    These are wonderful Kelli! I love them all but that last one is a real treat. How wonderful that you got to witness it asll.

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  32. forgetmenotNovember 6, 2010 at 9:13 PM

    Hey, I just started a blog and I'm scrolling through some random blogs just to see what all is out there. Your photos are stunning!! I love taking nature shots too, but I'm certainly no professional--it's just "fun". Come check my blog out sometime. I know I'll be back to see more of your great work.

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  33. Pam Johnson BrickellNovember 6, 2010 at 11:43 PM

    WOW Kelly! Sorry for shouting but these shots are fantastic!

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  34. Chris PetrakNovember 7, 2010 at 9:20 AM

    What a neat series of photos!!! Wow

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  35. ChrisNovember 8, 2010 at 10:11 AM

    Wonderful sequence of pictures Kelly... So do you miss them a bit? I'm starting to miss the birdies we do have in summer ;-)

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  36. Greener BangaloreNovember 9, 2010 at 12:42 AM

    Great snaps as usual Kelly! and the comments under each snap is so interesting! Great going

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  37. KellyNovember 9, 2010 at 10:21 AM

    ...to say I was freaking out (on the inside) when I saw this is putting it mildly. I'd never even seen a Black-crowned Night Heron baby before, much less a mama or papa feeding one. I'm surprised the photos turned out as well as they did because the pair was across the mote. It was the luck of me being in the right place as the baby moved out on a branch in the open and into the sunshine that helped. Thanks, everyone for the super, super kind comments. Yes......I miss them soooo much. I can't wait until next summer.

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  38. Jen SanfordNovember 9, 2010 at 10:50 AM

    These photos are awesome!!! I laughed out loud also at the last one... Poor ibis!

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  39. Kjell T. EvensenNovember 9, 2010 at 11:45 AM

    Just fabulous images!

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  40. MaryNovember 9, 2010 at 9:40 PM

    Wow...amazing shots! What a great drama you captured.

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  41. Garden LilyNovember 9, 2010 at 11:56 PM

    Wonderful photos! I love the expression in that last one.

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  42. ENovember 16, 2010 at 5:42 AM

    Love your pics, Kelly, the lonely bird is lovely and funny, great captions. Hugs

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  43. LarryNovember 18, 2010 at 10:53 PM

    Kelly, what an incredible series on the Black-crowned Night Heron with the chicks! These shots are amazing and your posts always show the admiration you have for the birds you love so much. Thank you for sharing these with us

    The in-flight photos of the adults are beautiful and that last shot of the chick with the Ibis should be entered into a wildlife photo contest. Seriously!!

    Your artwork, well that's another of your incredible talents. Congrats on you being the first bird blogger of the week on BirdingBlogs.com! I can't think of a more deserving person for the honor.

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  44. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2013 at 3:52 PM

    Hi Kelly,
    My name is Jane and I'm with Dwellable.
    I was looking for blogs about Night Heron to share on our site and I came across your post...Haha! I didn't know it was a bird, too!
    I'd love to share this post with people who are thinking of traveling to Hilton Head....If you're open to it, shoot me an email at jane(at)dwellable(dot)com.
    Hope to hear from you!
    Jane

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