Black Crowned Night Heron

[NorthernFocus]

... I have always felt (as a species) that the Bald Eagle looks 'cross' or 'angry'...

Focused, Dave, they are focused.

[Dave Humphries]

Focused, Dave, they are focused.

Not sure they would be if I shot 'em

(I thought I'd get that in first before someone else does)

[NorthernFocus]

Not sure they would be if I shot 'em

(I thought I'd get that in first before someone else does)

Darn, I missed an opportunity there

[joebranko]

Great shot! Love how you captured his/her eyes!

[Barbara Ponder]

Nice work, Barbara. The feathers are just fantastic!!!

Thanks Donna! The feathers on this particular bird were amazing, straight out of the camera. It made PP a little difficult to avoid getting an over done look.

[Barbara Ponder]

Good capture Barbara, that eyes spot on.

Thanks Grahame!

[Barbara Ponder]

Great shot! Love how you captured his/her eyes!

Thanks Joe!

[Barbara Ponder]

Barbara, Love it really nice portrait - very intent and focused look to it - and thats what they are good at - took me back a few years to late 80's when I was in the Falklands and got a shot of one on Kodacrome 64 - must dig out those slide !

Mark, I like that I was able to give you a memory Hope it was a good one! As I recall in the 80's there were issues in the Falklands involving military. Were you there during that?

[Barbara Ponder]

Beautiful Barbara...those details in the feathers and the concentration of its gaze is simply remarkable. I was about to comment that it must have been snooty to you thinking "Here is that bird nerd again! I will look annoyed for her!"

Thanks Izzie, he was indeed a little annoyed only because he was trying to keep an eye out for his dinner and I was interrupting his efforts as he felt the need to watch me as well

[Barbara Ponder]

Great capture Barbara, well done.

We only find these in zoos or wildlife parks here.

they have expressionless faces (in my opinion).

Dave, so interesting to hear you say that. I think of them as common although I must say they are much harder to find here than the White Egrets, Snowy Egrets and Great Blue Heron. Of course when birds are posted from your neck of the woods I think, "wow I will only ever see those in a zoo". As I said yesterday another reason I love this forum I get to see species I never even knew existed and without having to do any research.

As for the expression I think they have attitude, not as much as my beloved Pelicans but still enough to keep it interesting.

[Tom Barry]

I like it as is, or even more tightly cropped. We see full-body bird shots in plenty, and it is refreshing to see some like this close portrait.

[marlunn]

Mark, I like that I was able to give you a memory Hope it was a good one! As I recall in the 80's there were issues in the Falklands involving military. Were you there during that?

Indeed it was a good memory, thank you. A stunning location with some awesome wildlife, I was lucky enought to be paid to be there for 4 months and took my camera gear with me for my 'time off'. Luckly it was shortly after - I was there to help maintain the peace and maintain the staus quo post the departure of the unwelcome 'guests'

[Barbara Ponder]

I like it as is, or even more tightly cropped. We see full-body bird shots in plenty, and it is refreshing to see some like this close portrait.

Thanks Tom!