black heron

Looking for a Target on th beach. A very secretive bird seen at dawn.

This is the classic pose where the heron uses its wings to make its prey more visible. Sacred Ibis thrown in. Quite a long way off so many shots, most of which were binned.

The heron forms its umbrella, and hunts for fish.

The heron prepares its umbrella.

Now you see me...

The full umbrella effect to screen out the sun reflecting on the water's surface.

This time a successful hunt but the fish it was catching were tiny so I had the benefit of watching for about an hour before it had eaten sufficient to satisfy it

Probably the most fascinating bird I have had the pleasure of watching , and at very close quarters too. The Black Heron is also known as the Umbrella Bird for obvious reasons and I think I'm right in thinking that it's hunting style is unique. Rather sinister, it reminds you of Count Dracula ...

Taken from a hide at the reservoir, Santiago Island

Taken from a hide at the reservoir on Santiago.

Shot from our hide at the reservoir on Santiago Island, Cape Verde.

The well-known but not so often seen "canopying" tactic of the Black Heron to lure fish.

Seen in its typical hunting fashion, where shade is created to lure fish to the shade where they are then preyed upon.