The colony of Black crowned Night Herons situated in Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility wetlands appears to be thriving.
By Dave Brooks
February 10th, 2019, 6pm - Highlighted by the waning rays of the sun heading to the horizon, this immature heron is displaying a bit of their customary attitude, lying somewhere between an annoyed skulk and a preference for privacy. I use a 500mm lens and keep my distance from all of the wild subjects I photograph. Ellis Creek is a joy to visit responsibly.
February 10th, 2019, 6:01:35pm - This adult Black Crowned Night Heron offered this nice pose…
February 10th, 2019, 6:02:37pm - …and one minute later had tucked her bill neatly into her chest feathers for a nap.
February 10th, 2019, 6pm - Photographing through a lot of reeds can be challenging at times.
March 15th, 2019, 9am - An immature heron warming in the morning sun.
March 15th, 2019, 9am - This shot is a wider crop of an image very similar to the one above it. This wider crop lets us appreciate their setting and scale.
August 21st, 2019, 7:39am - This shot was taken in a very shady area as evidenced by the size of the cornea. The lack of detail in the feathers is due to the very low light and an ISO of 1600.
January 20, 2020 - 4:37pm - This heron appears to be immature and near to becoming an adult as indicated by plumage and the upper bill which is becoming mostly dark but still shows about a third of it in the yellowish coloration of an immature heron.
January 20, 2020 - 4:47pm - This shot is another of my favorites, I feel that it gives a good sense of their mood and setting.
January 20, 2020 - 5:54pm - With the last sunlight of the day, this heron seems content on his reedy perch with a commanding view.
February 26th - 9:06am - A truly handsome bird in a lovely setting.
February 26th - 9:06am - A wider crop of the same shot showing all of this fine heron.
February 26th - 9:14am - This shot is one of my favorites.
February 26th - 9:26am - A pair of Canada Geese drops into the pond that is ringed with Black Crowned Night Herons.
February 26th - 9:27am - This image shows a good representation of the flourishing colony.