Heron Yoga

On the way home this afternoon, I stopped by the bridge where I got an

earlier Yellow Crested Night Heron photo and found one in this amazing

pose--so stone still I thought perhaps it was some sort of decoy until

I noticed the black part of its throat vibrating. I suspect that this

pose is some sort of courtship behavior because eventually it

eventually came out of this apparent trance and flew off, joined by

another bird which had been hidden from view.

Subsequent Shot

Thats interesting, the great blue herons do the same thing. I was theorizing that they were drying their wings. They also do the throat vibrating thing, which I have no clue. Interestingly enough, I've never see the black crowned night herons doing either one of these antics, and they seem to be much closer related to the yellow crowned night herons.

Btw, that a hilarious title.

wonderful job, I love the clarity in the reflection as well. Thanks for sharing - Lex

Thanks for your comments. What makes me doubt the wing drying hypothesis, Monte, is that in this pose, the wings aren't fully extended (as in the classic wing-drying posture of an anhinga.) For what it's worth, there's a colony of nests with (at least) two-week old chicks near this site (but that doesn't, on the face of it, make the courtship theory more probable.)

Real interesting photo Dave. If they start doing Tai chi, make sure you get a lot of shots!

and, if judo, run! ;~)

You got a great moment !. Congratulations.

Nice capture I've never seen a heron in that pose before. It does kinda look like it is drying its wings.