Brutkey

Swede’s Photographs
@Swede1952@universeodon.com

Eyes on the Wind

I spotted this yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) a couple of years ago, flying over the open Caribbean Sea with ten or eleven companions. I remember feeling incredibly lucky—the birds were nearly level with my balcony, which I think was on the ninth deck. They glided alongside the ship, matching its speed with effortless grace. I spent somewhere between fifteen and thirty minutes photographing them, completely absorbed in the moment.

Explore a curated collection of heron and egret images in my photo gallery. Take a look!

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #heron #YellowCrownedNightHeron

"A yellow-crowned night heron glides through a cloudless blue sky, its wings outstretched in a perfect arc of motion. The bird’s flight is steady and deliberate, as if it’s tracing invisible paths across the morning air. Its head is striking and regal, framed by bold black and white markings that give it a masked, almost ceremonial appearance. A crisp white cheek stripe contrasts sharply with the dark crown and face, emphasizing the bird’s intense gaze. The eyes are large and golden-orange, glowing like twin embers—alert, focused, and quietly commanding. Its beak is stout and slightly curved, slate-gray in color, built for grasping crustaceans and small prey. It juts forward with quiet confidence, completing the bird’s focused, predatory profile. The body is compact and muscular, cloaked in smooth, slate-gray plumage that shimmers subtly in the light. Each feather seems to lie in perfect alignment, giving the bird a polished, aerodynamic look. The wings, broad and powerful, stretch outward with layered feathers that ripple like silk in motion. Their undersides are lighter, almost silvery, catching the sun as the bird banks and turns. The upper wings are darker, with faint barring that adds texture and depth to the otherwise smooth surface. Trailing behind are the legs, long and slender, extended straight like twin rudders. They’re a muted yellowish-orange, with a slightly rough texture, hinting at their strength and utility. The feet dangle behind." - Copilot with edits