The rookery next to Ocean City Welcome Center in Ocean City, NJ has changed somewhat over the past decade. Night herons and ibises used to be in abundance in the beginning, but over the years, egrets have slowly supplanted them. The photo below, taken two days ago, shows what greets most visitors when they first look at the rookery.
Yet the night herons are there, mostly perched on a branch, quietly sleeping during the day.
Others do have their bright eyes open, wondering what the human creatures are fussing about.
neihtn 
That is a great observation, the egrets look to be dominating in the numbers. Seems like they have made the rookery their home. Wonderful captures of the herons. Such clarity in your shots. Well done š
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Thank you, Mabel!
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Beautiful birds and great shots Hien!
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Thank you, Julie! Glad you like them!
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Interesting how a rookery can change, and lovely to see the photos, Hien. Each one is beautiful, and I love seeing the bright red eye of the night heron.
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Thank you, Jet! I may return there to take photos of their nest, eggs, and eventually the hatchlings.
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I’ve never seen a Black-crowned Night Heron before, many Blue Heron out here in the Pacific Northwest… Your fourth shot is spectacular, Hien.
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According to All About Birds, night herons do live on the Pacific coast: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-crowned_Night-Heron/maps-range
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Excellent shots.
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Thank you!
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What a treat to see these birds – rarely seen in our part of the world – in your terrific photographs, Hien!
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Thank you, Dries! It’s too bad these herons don’t live in your part of the world.
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In fact they do occur here, Hien, but they are rarely seen as clearly as you’ve shown here!
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Hey Hien, great set of images. The eyes do get your attention, don’t they!
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Thanks, John! The eyes do get our attention, including Canon with their eye-centric focusing.
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I love all of the detail you were able to get in the birds’ plummage!
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Thanks, Liz! I was lucky to get close to them this time.
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You’re welcome, Hien!
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Great pictures of those birds, Hien. Did any of them say hello?
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Nah, they were very sleepy and trying to nap in broad daylight.
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What a great place to visit and take photos. thanks for sharing
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Thank you for visiting and commenting!
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They are all great shots but I especially love the black crowned night heron.
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Thanks, Bonnie! They are closely related to the Yellow-crowned Night Herons, and I will always wonder why they evolved differently.
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Nature is ever evolving. Nice shots, Hien!
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Thank you, Eliza!
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Lovely birds
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Glad you like them!
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