BCNH with weird coloring

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

Hello everyone. Haven't posted anything for quite some time. Haven't gone birding for such a long time

Went out to check the colony near where I live and:

The Herons are still thriving. And is in another cycle of nest building and mating. The latest batch of sexually mature males are all busy nest building.

I find it funny, at the least, that it seems they share some common traits with other species..

The good looking ones only need to pick some twigs..

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1250)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200
handheld

but those that don't really look good.. needs a really nice looking and sturdy nest to attract a mate

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/800)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200
handheld

And while all these things happen.. the juveniles just stand and watch.. maybe to learn.

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200
Handheld

Surprise of the day was this guy with strange facial coloring..

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200
Hanheld

Anyone got any ideas what that color signifies?

Thanks in advance!

Edu

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Nice shots, Edu. My guess is that the last BCNH got its face feathers dirty or oily.

Where is this colony?

[Tirso Paris]

Beautiful shots of the BCNH in the various stages of its life cycle!

[Ely Teehankee]

I was there last week but the place was flooded. It is good to see that you were able to bird in the area. I can see that they are not shy with people. Well done Edu & Mabuhay.

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

Aug 7, 2011 14:58:47 GMT Ramon Quisumbing said:

Nice shots, Edu. My guess is that the last BCNH got its face feathers dirty or oily.

Where is this colony?

Hello Sir Ramon. Thank you for appreciating the shots from a rusty birdnut

I would have dismissed oil as the reason for the 'dirty face' of the one in the last pic. But when you mentioned that, I immediately looked at the other photos. The one here with that big stick, the stick looks like it was dipped in crude oil. These birds are fortunate enough that local law prohibits capturing or killing them, but the laws that prohibit people from throwing industrial waste in the waters is not implemented as well.

I'll send you a PM sir for the location.

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

Aug 7, 2011 17:42:56 GMT Tirso Paris said:

Beautiful shots of the BCNH in the various stages of its life cycle!

Thank you sir. I do have photos of almost all stages in its life (except the egg). I rarely post photos of this species as fledglings as they are not that pleasant to look at.

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

Aug 7, 2011 20:08:50 GMT Ely Teehankee said:

I was there last week but the place was flooded. It is good to see that you were able to bird in the area. I can see that they are not shy with people. Well done Edu & Mabuhay.

It is nice to know that one, if not THE most prolific bird photographers in our country went out of his way to visit the colony. Sad to hear that it was flooded when you got there. Actually, it is still flooded now. I was wading in knee deep floodwaters when I took these.

[mantarey]

Very nice detailed shots Edu. Must be very close captures.

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

Aug 8, 2011 23:43:55 GMT @mantarey said:

Very nice detailed shots Edu. Must be very close captures.

Thank you Rey. Well relatively close.. between 10 and 35meters.