While at the Oso Bay Observation platform, watching this Great Blue Heron and his dining on the eel [which I posted at Hootin' Anni's also and added here for the week: below It's a 3 minute youtube I composed. Just click on the image it should open for viewing]. NOTE: Thanks to Ken for enlightening me...this wasn't an EEL, it was a Siren Salamander!! I was side-tracked while going shutter-button crazy when Bud, my sometime spotter, told me that a black and white bird just landed on the back side of us. I turned away from the Heron to see what he saw, and it was a bird I haven't had the opportunity to photograph before. At least in this 'age bracket'. It is a Little Blue Heron, in its 1st year plumage. So, distracted as I was, I took a few photos and turned back to the 'action' in front of me only 'cause I was anxious to get the eel being 'swallowed' whole, AND besides the Little Blue quickly vacated the premises; flying off.
GREAT BLUE HERON [below] & Little Blue Heron
photos taken: Oso Bay Nature Reserve - Corpus Christi, Texas
habitat range: Great Blue Heron - Little Blue Heron
Also, the first week of last month I spotted and photographed another banded bird. This time 'round it was a Wilson's Plover. I sent the photo thru an email to report the sighting/area found. I received a reply email from the bander...
From: David N *omitted info here*
To: anni *omitted info here*
Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2015 11:22 AM
Subject: FW: Aux. marker report. (BBL Marker Ref Id: 57869)
Hi Anni,
This report was forwarded to me from the Bird Banding Lab. This is a bird I marked at Charlie’s Pasture last year for a project examining nesting ecology and nest success of Wilson’s and Snowy Plovers. The project is continuing this year and we will be marking additional birds soon.
Thanks for reporting this sighting!
David
This report was forwarded to me from the Bird Banding Lab. This is a bird I marked at Charlie’s Pasture last year for a project examining nesting ecology and nest success of Wilson’s and Snowy Plovers. The project is continuing this year and we will be marking additional birds soon.
Thanks for reporting this sighting!
David
David N
Director
[more info omittted]
Sit back, relax, turn on your volume/speakers, and hopefully enjoy the nature slideshow I composed...
God Blessed Tex-us!! Just click on the thumbnail provided below. It's a little over 3 minutes' viewing time.
If the image and link doesn't load properly, here is the url: https://youtu.be/ndonyu0di_U
Now share your birding experiences:
or use text linking only copy text in lavender text area below and paste into your blog post:
Hello Anni, I love the look of the Little Blue. I have not seen one with so much of the white and blue together. The Plover is cute, great sighting. Thanks for hosting, have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteGreat production and perfect accompaniment.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images of the bird.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your report was helpful. Good job.
ReplyDeletethe little blue's mottled coloration is very cool!
ReplyDeleteThat little blue heron is very pretty.
ReplyDeleteGreat series of the blue heron, Anni! I'll be back to watch your video - how fun!
ReplyDeletelovely capture of this little blue heron. Such a beautiful llittle bird
ReplyDeleteNice captures of the young LBH. That's a great series of the GBH and the unfortunate eel.
ReplyDeleteLove the Little Blue Heron! Really pretty coloration on him. And once again...the slide show w/ music is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat Little Blue Heron has quite the speckled plumage.
ReplyDeleteThe herons are gorgeous! I feel sorry for the little plover having to wear an ankle bracelet. He didn't get a fair trial.
ReplyDeleteFabulous pictures and new insights! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures of these beautiful birds !!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Sunday !
Nice views of the Lille Blue in transitional plumage. The video and song are great. I notice that the creature that the Great Blue is eating may have small front legs, suggesting it may be an amphibian (siren species of salamander) rather than a fish.This is more likely in fresh water as I don't think sirens favor sea water but am not sure. I have photos of a Little Blue Heron eating a siren and also a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron feeding what looks like one to a nestling. (Hope I/m not having another "Warbling Vireo" moment!)
ReplyDelete...thanks Ken....nope, not this time....I am very appreciative of your id help.
DeleteAnni, nice capture of Little Blue. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThat Little Blue Heron is in unusual plumage Anni. I watched your video and I too thought it was an eel until I read Ken's comment. I'll bow to his superior (and local) knowledge.
ReplyDeleteNice work in reporting the marked bird too, I'm sure the banders appreciate every sighting they get. Not everyone would bother to report I'm sure.
Have a good week Anni.
that´s a nice video you made a gret job doing it. :) And the little blue looks great in this plumage :)
ReplyDeleteso very cool!! i have never seen a little blue looking so "different" then what i am use to seeing!!! great video!!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome video of the GBH! Wow. What a sight. Love the juvenile Little Blue. They remind me of a calico at that stage. All wonderful shots. What a successful outing you had. Thanks for hosting the link up!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos . . . we have blue herons here, too. They are so much fun to spot.
ReplyDeleteGreat outing, thanks for letting us tag along:)
Connie :)
Brilliant you finding another banded bird! The little blue is very sweet in its younger stages... I've never seen that and probably wouldn't have known what it was.
ReplyDeleteThe Little Blue heron is fascinating, I especially like the photos in flight, and especially with its wings downswept and beak and feet stretched out so magnificently. The Plover is adorable.
ReplyDeleteWow. the eel series is amazing....
ReplyDeleteTruly a beautiful blue heron. In the Netherlands, they are not nearly as beautiful as here with you. Really nice pictures of these birds.
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Neat that you found a banded bird! It reminds me, for a while there was/maybe still is a "Here's George" program to track marked dollar bills and see where they go. I have a feeling tracking birds might be a more rewarding experience.
ReplyDelete