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Night Heron and prey


Night Heron and prey
Photo Information
Copyright: Annick Vanderschelden (vanderschelden) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2629 W: 76 N: 6648] (26536)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-06-11
Categories: Birds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-06-11 6:25
Viewed: 1132
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This bird was a bit in the shadow. The sunlight was too hard if I had to photograph it in the plain sun.
The prey isn't sharp. But I don't think it is a necessity?

Update
The Black-crowned Night Heron (in Europe, often just Night Heron), Nycticorax nycticorax, is a medium-sized heron.

Adults are 64 cm long and weigh 800 g. They have a black crown and back with the remainder of the body white or grey, red eyes, and short yellow legs. Young birds are brown, flecked with white and grey. These are short-necked and stout herons.


The breeding habitat is fresh and salt-water wetlands throughout much of the world. The subspecies N. n. hoactli breeds in North and South America from Canada as far south as Patagonia, and the nominate race N. n. nycticorax in Europe, Asia and Africa. Black-crowned Night Herons nest in colonies on platforms of sticks in a group of trees, or on the ground in protected locations such as islands or reedbeds. 3-8 eggs are laid.

This heron is migratory outside the tropical parts of its extensive range, where it is a permanent resident. The North American population winters in Mexico, the southern United States, Central America, and the West Indies, and the Old World birds winter in tropical Africa and southern Asia.

These birds stand still at the water's edge and wait to ambush prey, mainly at night. They primarily eat small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic insects, and small mammals. During the day they rest in trees or bushes. The New World race is more gregarious outside the breeding season than the nominate race.

The scientific name, Nycticorax, means "night raven", and refers to this species' nocturnal habits and harsh crow-like call.
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To Nephrotome2: Hellovanderschelden 1 06-12 17:16
To dew77: Sebnem Kanatvanderschelden 1 06-11 17:11
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2006-06-11 15:47]
  • [+]

Hello Annick,
It's very tragic scane but part of nature.Well caught,framed and
composed.Poor baby:(.Excellent work!
TFS...:-)

Excellent action shot. I would think that it is even better that the prey is not sharp.
I wonder. Is it a domestic chicken? Or did it happen far away in the wild?

Hallo Annick,

Smashing photo of this sad but natural moment! The composition is great! Colors are natural and make a nice contrast. Sharpness is excellent. Great job! Thanks for sharing!

Regards,
Eddie

Hello Annick!
I like this shot because of its tight framing, interesting situation and good sharpness of the heron's neck. But in reality I hate to see what's happening in it. I know, it's part nature and you see it everywhere, but it's sad it has to be this way. Regards,
Mark

Hi Annick.
Excellent shot. Very impressive picture. Very well done. tfs. Stev

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