I visited my parents house on Aberdeen Creek in Gloucester County
yesterday and was treated to a show by a Yellw Crowned Night Heron. I
had spotted one up into the creek and climbed down the embankment
holding onto branches trying to shoot around leaves to get a picture. I
got several, but was a good distance away. I headed back toward the
house and was around on the other side when a White Egret went by. I
got a couple shots and watched him land on a neighbors dock. I had
taken a couple pictures of him and had turned to go in the house when
another bird came flying in to land in the creek. He was in the marsh
behind the neighbors house and I walked down to get closer. I got
within 20 yards or so and watched him hunt several crabs and attempt to
eat them. It was very interesting to watch him catch the crab and then
pick at it to remove the claws before swallowing it whole.
The first group of pictures were the best shots and show him trying to
position the crab to swallow it. There are a ton of pictures of it in
various stages of the hunt and consumption of several crabs. After
taking way too many pictures, I headed back to the house. When we got
ready to leave, I glanced out and he had come up to the pole right
beside the house. He didn't seem to be intimidated by me at all as I
walked out and snapped a few more pictures.
http://public.fotki.com/bhouston/miscellaneous/nature_pics/20080913-gloucester/
Also included in this album are some fox and raccoon pictures taken at
my sister's house in Norge. It was pitch black and I was experimenting
with my better-beamer and flash. I was quite pleased with the pictures.
Barbara
