Driving home from my mother-in-law’s last night, I stopped at her pond to see if there was a Green Heron. There was. So, I pulled over and took a few pictures. It was nearly dark so it was hard to get a decent shot.
The Green Heron was JUST too far away for a nice, clean shot. I was also impeded by the fact that I didn’t want to get out of the car or even turn it off. So, laziness played a factor! 🙂
I looked down and saw that there were birds there willing to pose for me. This pond has a problem with ducks — there are often too many for the pond to support. The residents feed the ducks — despite the fact that the pond is suffering from too much food sinking to the bottom. Clearly, however, someone is ignoring the requests to not feed the ducks. These guys were very happy to see my car pull up. In fact, they called in reinforcements.
“Food? Did someone say food?”
It was a big old Mallard party after that. I looked these ducks over carefully looking for any that are manky. I think these are, instead, just juveniles who are coming into their adult feathers. Many of the ones with dark black mohawks showed green flashes in certain light. Great, a gang of juvenile delinquent Mallards massing around my car.
Meanwhile, the Green Heron did not deign to come closer. He was not fooled into thinking that handouts were forthcoming. Oh well, enjoy your peaceful evening there, Fella!
mother. wife. friend. teacher. writer. reader. photographer. birder. quilter. blogger.
Liza Lee Miller 
I still like your photos of the Green Heron – at least that last shot one can still identify it. I guess we can chuckle at those juvie delinquent mallards. It’s cute to see them show their curiosity, but sad when humans cause them to become tame. I take it that there are no predators around since you mentioned that there are more ducks than the pond can accommodate. Thanks for sharing.
Yea, Mary C, it’s in the middle of a senior community. The ducks run tame. In fact, they like to sit and bask on the road and don’t move when cars come. The only real predators are themselves. The one pair in the spring was unable to raise a brood as the bachelor mallards attacked and killed them. Pretty sad. I know they have raccoons in the park and skunks but nothing that will go after an adult mallard. The dogs are all on leashes, cats can’t take on a mallard and they don’t get coyotes in the park. They are totally safe there.
I like the last shot, it’s really how I see most birds, from a distance like that. I haven’t seen a Green Heron, but plan to look for one the next time we’re in the Santa Cruz area.
Not getting close enough to birds is the story of my birding life.-Once in a while I get lucky though.-Those ducks looked like they were having a ball!
LOL….
I always bust out laughing when the ducks WAAAAY over on the other side see a person who MIGHT be handing out food. Then it’s a duck-fest.
Green herons are nearly impossible to photograph, unless you are laying in the muck for 2 hours waiting for one to happen by.
I’ve never seen a Green Heron, so that is a great photo for me! :c) Love the delinquent Mallards!
Those green heron’s never let me get close enough!
Those ducks are too much! So funny. They will do anything for a snack.
I haven’t had the pleasure of a green heron, but I know about those Mallards… LOL! Too cute to resist! Love the bread. Great photos, Liza.