Looking back over the last year or so, it’s obvious to me that birding can bring along a lot of good surprises. There was the pleasure of spending more time than I ever had with Short-Eared Owls…and to be honest…Night Herons weren’t even on my radar. But what a treat they turned out to be … Read more
It’s easy to tell when a Night Heron is locked in on brunch. They start to move very slowly and lean forward in a very deliberate and tactical approach. Sometimes if you look out ahead of them you can see what they’re after. A crayfish may be situated among some surface algae. Often they seem … Read more
While walking through HyVee today, I happened to glance in the seafood section and saw an ample pile of cooked crawfish. Now normally I wouldn’t think much of that, except for the fact that I’ve been watching Night Herons devour the things with great enthusiasm. Surely they must taste pretty darned good. But despite the … Read more
Night Herons love crayfish, or crawdads…or in my mind, a mini lobster. The birds, for the most part, handle these crustaceans with ease…despite the fact that this delectable little critter can bite back…or pinch back would be a better way to put it. Herons might get grabbed now and then, which might delay the inevitable. … Read more
This immature Yellow Crowned Night Heron is definitely not the top dog at the marsh. The young birds will generally stay away from the adults that are hunting. If they get too close, like this one did, they are sure to get chased off in quick fashion. There is a pecking order here…and the young … Read more
These wading Night Herons look pretty passive. Some might even consider them a foot dragger now and then. They wade along, slowly and deliberately. But the pace is born from a calculated efficiency. With every step they are scanning below the water for any sign of life. If a crayfish even twitches, you can expect … Read more