[ultimate_heading alignment=”left” el_class=”album-description”]This album encompasses, cranes, herons, egrets, and their kin.  Making few exceptions (such as the great blue heron’s occasional proclivity for hunting rodents on land), wading birds generally spend their time in shallows or at water’s edge.  These birds are primarily carnivorous and use their beaks similarly to spears, snatching fish, frogs, and rodents as the hapless creatures pass within range.  Some wading birds, such as the tiny, green heron, use small sticks or insects as fish bait, while others actually mimic the plants around them, gently swaying their bodies amidst gusts of wind.  The life of these birds revolves almost entirely around waterways, and those waterways need to be healthy for their survival.  A healthy stream, lake, or pond isn’t exclusively characterized by the presence of fish.  It encompasses relatively unpolluted water, nearby trees, and native, waterside vegetation.  A pond or lake in which humans routinely remove or trim these plants is virtually useless to many of the magnificent wading birds.  If you appreciate herons, egrets, and cranes, please be considerate of their homes and allow waterways to remain natural.  You may be enchanted by the visitors![/ultimate_heading]

Great Blue Heron

Relaxing peacefully at the edge of a frozen pond, this great blue heron made the perfect photography subject! Great blues are really versatile hunters.
I have personally watched them catch enormous fish and frogs, as well as small minnows.
One a particular occasion, I watched a blue heron stalk across a cow pasture, seemingly snatching rodents.
Photographed in Lewisburg, PA, USA.
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Cooperation is Key

Naturally, these wonderful parents were both invested in the integrity of their nest, but could simply not reach an agreement on the placement of this stick. Each cattle egret wrestled with the stick, attempting to place it where they wanted. It was yanked back and forth a fair bit before finally being jammed haphazardly into the nest by both parents. Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica.

Halloween Heavens

The last remnants of light ignite the sky in vibrant orange as a flock of sandhill cranes fly across the horizon. Willcox, AZ

Crane Silhouettes

Silhouetted by the setting sun, a flock of sandhill cranes moves to their roosting spots for the night. Sandhill cranes often assemble in huge numbers throughout the winter in specific sites. Around sunset, they will make the most primordial sounds, often rising into the air en-masse. Willcox, AZ, USA.
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Sandhill Silhouettes

A few sandhill cranes looking spectacular soon after sunset at Willcox, AZ. Sandhill cranes often assemble in huge numbers throughout the winter in specific sites. Around sunset, they will make the most primordial sounds, often rising into the air en-masse. Prints of this image are not currently available for sale. Please check back for updates!

Flying Cranes

A trio of sandhill cranes fly across the beautiful background of the Chiricahua Mountains. Sandhill cranes often assemble in huge numbers throughout the winter in specific sites. Around sunset, they will make the most primordial sounds, often rising into the air en-masse. Willcox, AZ.
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Sandhills in the Setting Sun

Bathed in the stunning golden hour sunlight, two sandhill cranes posture at each-other. Sandhill cranes often assemble in huge numbers throughout the winter in specific sites. Around sunset, they will make the most primordial sounds, often rising into the air en-masse. Willcox, AZ.
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Green Heron

Green herons are extremely clever.
They have been observed dropping insects into the water, or gently twitching a small stick to entice fish. Tucson, AZ

Green Heron in a Green Swamp

A green heron spearing fish from his shadowy perch. Look closely, and you may notice something grasped in the bill. Green herons are extremely clever.
They have been observed dropping insects into the water, or gently twitching a small stick to entice fish. Photo taken near Harrisburg, PA, USA.
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Frog Feast

....or perhaps "a feast of frogs" would be more apt. In the chilly morning, the bullfrogs were all but immobile, ie: easy pickings. This little guy ate not one or two, but three American bullfrogs, each so large that he can barely swallow the slippery snack. After the feast, he sauntered into the cattails for a long nap. Tucson, AZ.

An Elegant Egret

A most stunning snowy egret sits perfectly still for his / her portrait. Everglades NP, FL.

American Bittern

An American Bittern takes off from it's perch among the cattails. These birds have mastered the camouflage of their vegetated homes. Bitterns will often sit amidst the reeds, beaks pointed up.
They even tend to sway in response to a breeze. Tucson, AZ.
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Snowy Egret

The easiest way to distinguish snowy from great egrets is to look at their feet! Great egrets have black feet. These angelic wading birds often stand in the shallows, picking off small fish. Tucson, AZ.
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Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

True to his namesake, the yellow-crowned night heron showed up at his fishing grounds only minutes before all light had vanished. Everglades NP, FL.

Yellow Heron, Yellow Prairie

Soon after the onset of night, a juvenile yellow-crowned night heron stalks the coastal prairie in search of food. Everglades National Park, FL.

Fuzzy Yellow Crown

After an intimate exchange with the powerful surf, the yellow-crowned night heron looked quite disheveled! Everglades NP, FL.

Heron of the Night

In addition to unique patterning, juvenile black-crowned night herons can be distinguished from adults by their stunning orange eyes. The eyes of an adult black-crowned night heron are deep crimson. Tucson, AZ.
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