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Black-crowned Night Heron, Ocean City Welcome Center, photography, postaday, rookery, yellow-crowned night heron
The Welcome Center in Ocean City, NJ is right next to a rookery with many kinds of birds, including Yellow-crowned Night Herons. These herons are active during daylight hours, in contrast to the Black-crowned Night Heron that are nocturnal. The herons arrived a little over two weeks ago, but within a week they had been busy courting, choosing their partners, and building nests. I took the following photos last Sunday.
Meanwhile the Black-crowned Night Herons were starting to wake up.
Sue Slaght said:
That display of feathers is astounding. I’m impressed!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks for commenting, Sue. These herons do indeed use their feathers a lot to make their points.
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quietsolopursuits said:
neither of these species are common in Michigan, so I loved seeing them in your wonderful photos, complete with the captions!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks Jerry! I have no idea why they chose New Jersey shore as their breeding grounds. Maybe this is as far North as they want to fly.
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Helen C said:
Very interesting photos, Hien. You are an amazing photographer!
But for some reason, I heard different things. I am pretty sure that male Yellow Crowned Night Heron said, “Oh, honey, one branch is not straight.” Ha ha…
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neihtn2012 said:
Helen, you have better ears than mine! Thank you for commenting! 🙂
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loisajay said:
I’m impressed by the display of feathers! What a great photo, Hien.
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neihtn2012 said:
Glad you like the photos, Lois!
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AmyRose🌹 said:
How big are these herons, Hein? Our blue heron is huge but these don’t look as big.
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neihtn2012 said:
Amy, they are about 2 ft tall.
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AmyRose🌹 said:
They are smaller then the blue heron, Hein, which stands about I’d say 4 feet. I find it fascinating that different breeds within the same species are so unique.
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bayphotosbydonna said:
Wonderful captures, love the courtship displays. Love is in the air! 🙂
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you for visiting and commenting, Donna!
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