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

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21 comments:

  1. Martha Eskuchen2 February 2013 at 16:34

    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.

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  2. Brona2 February 2013 at 16:44

    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.

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  3. Sim Carter2 February 2013 at 19:11

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

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  4. Anonymous2 February 2013 at 22:54

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

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  5. Laurel-Rain Snow2 February 2013 at 23:39

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

    Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

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  6. (Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea3 February 2013 at 00:05

    How beautiful:0

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  7. Elizabeth3 February 2013 at 00:22

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

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Saturday Snapshot

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  8. Nise' 3 February 2013 at 01:23

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

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  9. gautami tripathy3 February 2013 at 02:20

    Great photos!

    Here is my Saturday Snapshot post

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  10. Joy3 February 2013 at 02:43

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

    Joy's Book Blog

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  11. Alyce3 February 2013 at 03:03

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

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  12. Susan Lindquist3 February 2013 at 03:38

    What a beautiful bird! So reclusive and cautious!

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  13. Leslie (Under My Apple Tree)3 February 2013 at 04:49

    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.

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  14. Lmkazmierczak3 February 2013 at 07:10

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

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  15. Unknown3 February 2013 at 07:28

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

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  16. Vicki3 February 2013 at 08:02

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

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  17. Ali3 February 2013 at 11:38

    What a gorgeous bird!

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  18. Irene3 February 2013 at 13:57

    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.

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  19. Anonymous3 February 2013 at 17:03

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

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  20. Paulita 3 February 2013 at 22:36

    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

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  21. Swan Pond4 February 2013 at 21:05

    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

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