Sunset Dining
Yesterday evening, just at sunset, I was watching this juvenile yellow-crowned night heron stalking the edge of the marsh pond in search of the tasty little crabs that are such a favored menu item for them. This youngster was such a patient hunter and, as the sun began to set, I had just about given up seeing him catch anything and I decided to leave.
But, as I was walking away, I glanced back just in time to see the wily young night heron walking back up onto the rocks with a crab he had just plucked from the marsh! It turns out we were both rewarded for our patience.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
E la tua pazienza ti ha fatto fare scatti stupendi, sono fantastici Phill!!
Complimenti e Buona Pasqua (se da voi si festeggia)
Ciao, Pat
Non ero così paziente come l’uccello, ma ho fatto del mio meglio.
Faccio celebrare la Pasqua!
Buona Pasqua a te Pat!
Lecker Nachtessen 🙂
Tolle Fotos.
Frohe Ostern lieber Phil.
LG Mathilda ♥
Es ist ein schönes Abendessen. Vielen Dank und frohe Ostern!
I didn’t know whether to smile or grimace! 🙂 Mr. Night Heron has definitely made it to my cute list. That poor little crab is doing is best to escape. I think he probably became a snack though! 🙂 Love those head feathers on the herons.
Oh these youngsters are super cute! And this guy did not care one bit that I was around watching him, he just stayed focused on the task at hand which was catching crabs. It’s funny too how they eat the crabs. Unlike the ibis who will dismantle a crab and eat it piece by piece, these little night herons wolf them down whole.
Ah, the screams and flailing pincers of a pinioned crab! What a capture 🙂
Crabby never had a chance either, these little night herons wolf down the crab whole. No messing around for these guys!
Shudder! Hope you’re doing well, Phil? 🙂
Of course the quick gulp can be a blessing in disguise. Hearing an alligator crunch away on a large crab is a sound that can be unnerving.
I’m at maybe 70% but hope things will continue to improve. This has been an awful year so far for us.
I’m sorry to hear it’s being an annus hornbills for you 🙂 70% is on the mend, for sure, but you take care Phil.
I can imagine how unnerving the crocodile crunch must be – I was thinking of that large bony snappy carapace going down that delicate long gullet … Quite a mouthful! 🙂
Alligators can be loud eaters at times.
Well I’m hanging in as best I can. 🙂
Fabulous Phil. Such a sweet little bird!
They really are little cuties! And so focused and patient. Few birds can match that.
Hey! That’s not a legal size crab! Best not run into DNR, Mr. Heron.
Good point and you are correct! I suspect this youngster is not up on the latest regulations and is following the alligators whose policy is always… Chomp now, worry later.
Wow, look at those eyes!
They have that cute bobble head and HUGE eyes! Thanks for looking.
Unbelievable shots Phil.he close-ups are outstanding.
Thanks so much Edith! He was such as cutie and was cooperative by coming in close.
Thanks to your patience, Phil! We get to enjoy these great photos by clicking… 🙂
Well I’m thrilled you enjoy these Amy!
Nice variety !
This little guy was bouncing all over!
Beautiful Phil! Even the meal.
Thanks! And funny too, we are have a seafood dinner tonight for some reason. 🙂
Makes sense! : )
Just can’t beat the combination of great photos, coastal sunsets, and crustaceans for dinner – well, maybe a little wine might improve it – but not by much and certainly none for the youngster!
A little wine would indeed go great with a fresh seafood dinner! This little guy is still underage however. 🙂
Nobody beats your patience or photos. The closeup is perfect.
Well I appreciate that very much. I’m just glad he caught that crab before I left for the night, it helped make the whole thing a little more interesting anyway.
Fabulous pics, Phil. The detail is amazing. What a good thing that you happened to glance back. 🙂
I was redeemed a bit because earlier I was watching a blue heron fish and when I first turned away to go look at the little night heron the blue heron caught whopper and I missed that. Thanks Sylvia!
You should nave been born with eyes in the back of your head as well. 😉
Absolutely great action shots, the detail in the last photo’s is amazing.
I appreciate your kind words Jan, thanks!
Perfect catch, by the crane and you… 🙂
Thanks for checking this out and I’m glad you enjoyed the photos!
I personally think he snatched that crab because he sensed you were leaving. He didn’t want to disappoint. Those bright red eyes are amazing, esp. up close in the last two shots. Or is that a serious case of bloodshot? 🙄
Maybe he felt bad because his audience was leaving and he decided he needed to snap up the show a bit.
They really do have those huge red/orange eye on a cute bobble head. Funny birds.
Wonderful story and gorgeous set Phil
Have a nice WE
Thank you Sophie, I appreciate you checking these out and glad you enjoyed them. Enjoy your weekend!
What great pictures of a lovely little bird! I do love your herons, Phil! We only get the grey heron here.
This little guy was so cute and funny and he totally ignored me never allowing anything to distract from his crab hunting. Glad you liked these Maggie!
Beautiful Closeups and what beautiful eyes, your pictures have such clarity and focus, they are amazing.
I truly appreciate the kind comments Linda, thanks much!
Incredible close-ups. The intensity of those red eyes!!
I never fail to be amazed by that huge red eye in the bobble head. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed these NH pics!
Fantastic Shots Phil, Glad to see you are up and around again.
Thanks very much for looking and commenting TJ and I’m doing my best to get up and out. I’m a ways away from 100% but I’m hopefully getting there.
Incredible colours Phil!
Thanks a million Lucy, I appreciate your checking these out!
The sun never sets on a hungry heron….This little one’s perseverance is admirable!
Thanks for sharing your great close-ups, Phil.
I’m very happy you enjoyed the photos of our very determined and focused crab hunter! Thanks!
Great shots Phil… remarkable close-ups. RH
The photos were like show and tell and night heron had the best show. Very beautiful photos Phil. I never saw this bird so close up, at least in real life. So close dinner was looking at me too.
the detail in the last 2 shots is incredible – razor sharp
These are superb pictures. It’s not always easy to capture birds ‘dining’.