Friday’s Photos

Black-crowned Night-Heron in flight. One of four located at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 8/29/14. — Black-crowned Night-Heron in flight. One of four juveniles located at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 8/29/14.

I got out of work a little early on Friday for the holiday weekend, and I ended up having a really interesting and fun afternoon of birding. The highlight was certainly seeing four juvenile Black-crowned Night-Herons right from the viewing platform at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge’s Liberty Loop. The birds were very close, and relatively active, allowing for some decent photos.

I'm not sure how this bird stayed in focus. BCNH through the vegetation, Wallkill River NWR, 8/29/14.. — I’m not sure how this bird stayed in focus. BCNH through the vegetation, Wallkill River NWR, 8/29/14.

A Black-crowned Night-Heron shifts position. Wallkill River NWR, 8/29/14. — A Black-crowned Night-Heron shifts position at the Wallkill River NWR, 8/29/14.

A fluffed up BCNH at Wallkill River NWR, 8/29/14.

I didn’t walk the loop that afternoon, I mostly stayed on the platform where I also had a Glossy Ibis in flight, a Northern Harrier and a Merlin tangling, and my first Common Nighthawk in a couple of years.

Glossy Ibis flyover, Wallkill River NWR, 8/29/14.

A distant look at a Northern Harrier and what I believe is a Merlin. At first I though Peregrine, but the bird seemed too small. Wallkill River NWR, 8/29/14. — A distant look at a Northern Harrier and what I believe is a Merlin. At first I was thinking Peregrine, but the bird seemed too small. Wallkill River NWR, 8/29/14.

This was an exciting bird to see - it had been a couple of years since my last Common Nighthawk. Wallkill River NWR, 8/29/14. — This was an exciting bird to see – it had been a couple of years since my last Common Nighthawk. Wallkill River NWR, 8/29/14.

Before any of the above happened, I was on my way to the Liberty Loop, passing through Warwick, NY when I saw the leucistic Red-tailed Hawk flying a little low. I found a spot to pull over and got some shots. I have posted this bird before, but any chance I have to take some photos of this bird I will take it. All in all, an interesting day of birding for me, and, of course, so much fun.

Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk in Warwick NY, 8/29/14.

One thought on “Friday’s Photos”

Matt
Fantastic shots. My favorite is the leucistic red tail and the night heron with it’s wings up like it was just flying in.

Wilma

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