Many regulars were at Nathan Krestul Park late this afternoon–a dozen White Ibis, a Snowy Egret, a Great Egret, a Tricolored Heron, a Little Blue Heron, an Eastern Bluebird, an Anhinga, a pair of Mourning Doves, and Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles galore.
But I also saw a Yellow-crowned Night Heron, the first time I’ve ever seen one there. It was at the water’s edge, and I was approaching it stealthily . . . until someone’s brindle dog came bounding across the field at me. “Don’t worry,” a guy yelled from the picnic tables. “He won’t bite!” The Yellow-crowned Night Heron retreated across the water, but eventually flew up to a nearby tree and I got this shot: