Saturday 2 February 2013

White-necked Heron

It's great finding new birds. Recently Mr Wicker noticed a new bird in a local dam. We jumped in the car to check it out one day.

It turned out to be a rather magnificent White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica) in breeding plumage. I'd never seen one before- I've now seen them about a few places, locally and in the Blue Mountains- they're quite distinctive even when driving past.






Enjoying a meal


They look so intent on the search for the next meal

This dam soon dried up soon after these shots due to our rather awful record breaking hot summer. I hope he/she has found somewhere new to feed. 

Saturday Snapshot, is a wonderful weekly meme from Alyce  at home with books

21 comments:

Martha Eskuchen said...

Birds are popular photo subjects and I love them! These are great. I like how you caught his reflection in the water. I hope your weather heat breaks.

Brona said...

I learn something new every time I visit you Louise.
I've never seen one of these birds, but then my bird radar is not as strong as yours.

Sim Carter said...

I'm glad Martha pointed out the reflection; I'd missed it.
I hope they found a new resting spot as well.

Anonymous said...

I don't think I've ever seen a white-necked heron. Good pics.

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

Such elegant birds! Love the plumage, too; and thanks so much for sharing.

Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

How beautiful:0

Elizabeth said...

Nice photos...thanks. Good close up photos.

Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Saturday Snapshot

Nise' said...

They are beautiful birds. I am glad you were able to get such great shots.

gautami tripathy said...

Great photos!

Here is my Saturday Snapshot post

Joy said...

What a striking bird! Great photos to capture it, too.

Joy's Book Blog

Alyce said...

I've never seen this particular kind of heron before - it's very pretty!

Susan Lindquist said...

What a beautiful bird! So reclusive and cautious!

Leslie (Under My Apple Tree) said...

Beautiful. The herons are so majestic to watch. I always get excited when I find a new bird too.

We had such a dry summer that all of the marshes and small ponds dried up. I worry about the creatures that live in them. At least the birds can fly away.

Lmkazmierczak said...

Great captures♫ Happy week-end, my Sat Snap: http://lore-eleven.blogspot.com/2013/01/curve-here.html

Unknown said...

The bird is beautiful! Noticed that you're reading Gathering Blue. I loved it. I enjoyed all four books!

Vicki said...

Beautiful! I too hope they found another place to feed!
Here's My SS

Ali said...

What a gorgeous bird!

Irene said...

Great discovery, love your birding. I also see you're reading Lois Lowry, love to know what you think of it. One of my fav authors.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photos! The Heron is one bird I won't see in my neck of the woods. Thanks for sharing these beautiful shots.

Paulita said...

He is amazing and I'm always so jealous of your photos. You do a fabulous job. Hope you'll come play Dreaming of France on Monday at my blog. Here's Mine

Swan Pond said...

They are terrific birds. Well done on your photos. I'm so envious the heron stuck around for you to take a few photos. Here they are flighty and fly off quickly. Nice to see some of your countryside Louise.

Megan