One bird we seldom see out and about is the Nankeen Night Heron.
For a number of years, a small colony roosted in a large pine tree on an access track into the Werribee River Park.
Then for some reason, they disappeared for about four years.
Recently we’ve been noticing those lovely rich apricot-tan coloured feathers sprinkled along the track, so it’s always worthwhile checking. Almost all the time, they are high up, and surrounded by as many branches as possible and good looks, let along good photos are pretty difficult.
The last couple of visits we’ve seen around five or six in the tree and several of them are juveniles.
The other morning as we passed by, they seemed very nervous and with a ‘grunt’ took to wing. This suited the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos as it gave them something to chase and complain about.
What we didn’t expect was that just about every other tree nearby, also ‘grunted’ and in the end we had as many as 25 Nankeen Night Herons in the air looking for a quiet place away from the Cockatoos.
We continued down along the river edge and found eight to ten had moved down to the river to sit on some of the old trees overlooking the water. Just couldn’t get close, but at least we could say they are in good numbers.
Enjoy
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER doesn't mean I'm LOST 
What an excellent find David. I have never seen so many in the one place, and such perfect captures. I love the group in the tree, and the juvenile confronted with the Currawong reminded me of the American Greater Roadrunner in appearance. A wonderful gift to behold my friend.
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Great to know they are back, and in such good numbers, David!
A fine series of images! Wonderful to view!
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Okay so now I am anony-mouse!
David N!
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I have no idea what WordPress is doing. If I reply from desktop it works. From iPad I’m anonymous and can’t login to change the post. No answer from the gurus
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Beautiful David, thanks for sharing 😊 hope you have been keeping well.
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How wonderful to see so many – the usual thing is to consider just one a great treat! Beautiful photographs of them of course.
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Beautiful photography once again David, and it’s great to know these birds are back in your area again; hopefully they’ll hang around for a decent length of time now…! Thanks for sharing these awesome photos…!
Cheers…
Lance
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