The local pond has been reclaimed by a heron, at least for the early morning shift. While the poses in today's pictures aren't quite as bizarre as some recent ones, they do manage to capture something of the quirky personality of the bird.
Back in the garden, just glimpses of young foxes and badgers so far tonight. Plus a sleeping fox (Shutterbug) taking no notice of anything at all.
Camera note: heron shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. Fox photo with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens..
chthoniid
21 Aug 2012Out of curiousity (and my unfamiliarity with N hemisphere species), does this heron-species grow nuptial plumes during breeding time?
derWandersmann
21 Aug 2012Delightful shots, Words. The heron is a treat, and Shutterbug looks so comfortable.
studio41
21 Aug 2012beautiful pictures!!!
53north
21 Aug 2012wonder if it's worth using a sprinkler or dripping tap into a bowl to attract stuff on these 20°c evenings..
Words
22 Aug 2012Chthonid, to be honest my knowledge is not up to much. Our adult grey herons generally do have plumes, but whether or not is it linked to the breeding season is something I don't know (and haven't easily been able to find out).
Words
22 Aug 2012dW, thanks. The shot of Shutterbug reminds me so much of some of our earlier foxes, and of course there is quite possibly a family relationship going back through the generations so I shouldn't be too surprised.
Words
22 Aug 2012Jill, thanks!
Words
22 Aug 201253north, we keep a good supply of drinking water out there for wildlife, and they do tend to find there way to it.
SittingFox
29 Aug 2012Herons are always a little odd. Nice to see Shutterbug again.
Words
31 Aug 2012Adele, thanks. I love the tree the heron perches on., but the best shots will be later in the year when the early light is more accessible. Shutterbug is becoming a fairly regular visitor again, though mainly late afternoon/early evening. I think he's avoiding all the night time chaos out there.