Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Common but not usually seen due to roosting during the day and foraging for food at night. Foraging birds walk slowly along mudflats searching for crabs, or in wooded swamps searching for crayfish, as opposed to the Black-crowned Night-Heron that crouch quietly at water's edge waiting for fish or other prey to come by.

Each year my aunt and cousin who live in northern Texas have Night-Herons nesting in the tree canopy near their house. One can imagine the sites (and smells!) of a colony of these birds raising their young in a neighborhood. They sent me this great picture below of a young Night-Heron walking on their skylight!

Notice those wide feet and toes, perfect for walking on mud flats without sinking.

"What hath night to do with sleep?"  ~John Milton

 On a side note, I fear that my last post on snakes came across as a bit preachy and arrogant. My sincere apologies if that is the case. I'm new to this sort of thing, and I'm learning as I go. Thank you so much for taking the time to read what I write, and if you have any suggestions, please feel free to pass them along.

Peace~