Rather solitary and secretive, according to Audubon, Yellow-crowned Night Herons are frequently spotted hiding in the Cypress trees surrounding the ‘Alligator Hole’ at our local wetlands at this time of year. Although ‘their range extends inland as far as the Midwest’ U.S.(All About Birds), the Yellow-crowned Night Herons are year-round residents of Florida, nesting and breeding here.
“Night-herons are most frequently encountered at dawn or dusk as they skulk the water’s edge or fly to and from their feeding areas and roosts.” To learn more, you might enjoy the rest of this short piece by The Birdist about how to distinguish this Night Heron from its ‘cousin’, the Black-crowned Night Heron.
Birder's Journey 
That’s a gorgeous image of it. I’ve never seen this type of Night Heron.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much appreciated, Deborah! I hope one day you’ll see one. They and their cousins the Black-Crowned Night Herons, are very special birds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of the most photogenic herons of all. I love spotting these captivating creatures. Nice post and thank you, BJ.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Berny! And I know that you are really expert at spotting them, no matter how well hidden they are!
LikeLike
talk about tranquil beauty!
On Wed, Aug 25, 2021 at 4:02 PM Birder’s Journey wrote:
> Birder’s Journey posted: ” Rather solitary and secretive, according to > Audubon, Yellow-crowned Night Herons are frequently spotted hiding in the > Cypress trees surrounding the ‘Alligator Hole’ at our local wetlands at > this time of year. Although ‘their range extends inland as f” >
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! You are so right!
LikeLike
Beautiful bird portrait! The heron’s background adds a lot of interest to the image too – makes me feel that he is watching very stealthily.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Ann. I think you’re probably right. They have a certain way of hiding behind the cypress branches, especially during the daytime when the photographers are out looking for them 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is beautiful shot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so very much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a handsome bird and a handsome portrait as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Steve. They are even more handsome during mating season when their head plumage is most distinctive.
LikeLike
I think that the YCNH is the quietest of all herons! The only movement you see on that bird is the eyes… You have captured this one so nicely, Carol. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny that you mention how quiet they are, HJ. I agree. But just yesterday I photographed another adult in the same area, whose bill was open about an inch, making quiet but distinctly Heron-ish squawky sounds. ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great detail on the feathers, Carol, and lovely capture of him tucked into the tree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They do love to tuck in under the tree branches, Ellen, as you know! Thanks so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes BJ it is amazing how they stay motionless for so long during the day, but become so active at night, they really are creatures of the night. Our Night Herons are the same, very solitary and secretive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True, AB, often they are so motionless during the day that you could walk right past and never notice them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely photograph and such an interesting subject, Carol
LikeLiked by 1 person
These herons make a very handsome subjects, de Wets, and are easy to photograph as they stand so still much of the time. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person