On Saturday’s I often pass by the pond in Law Park, Briarcliff Manor while walking the dog. However, since catching the green heron fishing for tadpoles (See:Attempts at bird photography part II: Fishing for Tadpoles) I haven’t seen many birds. I have a theory that since they turned on the fountain (See:Film Camera 2019/4 – Olympus IS-3 – Results – Fifth picture) the birds have stopped coming.

However, this time the fountain was off. Still no birds, or so it seemed at first. On closer examination I came across this heron. Of course I was, as is often the case, woefully unprepared. The only camera I had with me was my Sony RX-100 M3 – not exactly the best camera for taking pictures of birds. Still, I gave it a try. Inevitably as I approached the bird flew off to the other side of the pond, but I was able to get a couple of shots before it did so.

I’m no expert on identifying herons, but this looks to me like an immature Great Blue Heron. I believe it is immature because it lacks the long orangish-yellow bill and black crown and head plumes of the adult. It also has the dark streaking on the neck, which is absent in the adult.

Taken with a Sony RX-100 M3.