I skipped this one and posted out of order because I needed a break from rainy day photos. I left McHale Park once the rain let up and headed for Hester Garden Park. According to the map/brochure, this was the place to be for migrants until after World War II. The park does have very nice trails which will make it worth future visits for Saturday morning runs, but I've been twice and not seen a single migrating bird.
In fact, the only bird I was able to photograph during either visit was the Yellow-crowned Night Heron. I saw him peeking out of the tall grass this time.
Some other visitors asked me what he was. When I told them, they said, "He's up early." I have heard that they actively feed at night, so they might not have been wrong about that.
At least the flowers enjoyed the rain.
Instead of letting my camera get soaked by the rain, I was hiding it under my jacket. This turned out to be worse than letting it get wet because the lens fogged up - from the inside. I took it home, let it sit for a few hours, and it's fine again.
I'm linking this post with Outdoor Wednesday.
UTC078
Visited April 6, 2014
72 deg F
Rain
Species Identified (3): Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Northern Cardinal, Laughing Gull
Luscious wet flowers! And I like the night heron.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are lovely and great shot of the YC Night Heron! A pretty park and trail! Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post of the photos of the night heron. A favorite of mine.
ReplyDeleteReally nice shots of the yellow-crowned night heron!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the heron was up late and you were up early. Lovely shots of it too.
ReplyDeleteHello Jen,
ReplyDeleteVery nice shots!! Wonderful that bird and the amazing colored flowers.
I saw your older shots on your blog and that herons are great. Wonderful.
Best regards,
Marco
Yes, wonderful pictures, I like the beauty of that place and color in these spring flowers!
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of the heron sticking his head up out of the grasses!! Lovely yellow iris as will!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful park with lovely birds and flowers.
ReplyDeletebeautiful shots, jen!
ReplyDeleteGreat macro shots ~ despite the weather ~ xoxo
ReplyDeleteartmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)
pretty images jen!! i have the same experience with my camera in the rain. always the dilema for the photographer, to bring the camera or leave it home!!
ReplyDeletegreat image of the night heron. I have seen it and first tiem I was wondering what I was actually seeing. Love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful heron and flower shots - despite the weather!
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend too.
I've never seen a night heron before. Great picture, enjoying all your images of nature!
ReplyDeleteThats a great shot of the heron - I like the grass.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Nice captures. I love the heron peeking through the tall grass.
ReplyDeleteGlad your camera is OK -- the yellow iris with the drops of rain on it is just beautiful. And I love yellow-crowned (and all herons)...I've seen them in the daytime too -- I think they just stay up late and go to sleep mid-day.
ReplyDeleteThe one bird you "did" get is a beauty. In spite of it all - rain, etc. - I hope it was an enjoyable outing.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that pic of the Yellow-crowned Night Heron :)
ReplyDeleteYou have some amazing pictures. I've never really been into birding, but I think I'm ready to get into it. I just moved to South Texas, do you have any beginners advice?
ReplyDelete