Missing the pond herons

 Tracking the pond herons this season, I was disappointed to have fallen short of capturing them in their prime breeding plumage.

These two birds arrived in early February.

More than three weeks later, there was noticeable moulting.

More than a month later, i.e. this would be almost two months since they have been here.

And this was the last time I saw them.  These Chinese Pond Herons did return to the taman but sadly not as regularly as during previous seasons, and I simply missed out on those occasions they were here, donning complete chestnut-maroon plumage.

Pond heron in waiting

 It has been slightly more than 14 days since I first saw the Pond Heron in its arrival plumage.

And it's a first for me to see it display this early moult with delicate pristine white plumes before it further transforms to the familiar chestnut colouration to its head, neck and breast.

Preoccupied or more accustomed to human presence now?

As I was passing by

Good catch!

And the herons are here

 The Pond Herons (Ardeola) (most certainly Chinese PH as ascertained for the last few years) have finally made their reappearance after being seen for the first time since weeks ago.  I counted it fortunate that I managed to capture these two together on my first sighting this season.

And going by their current plumage, these birds will take a couple of weeks more to assume breeding plumage.

23/2021

It looked like some behaviours remain the same, and as before, of these two, one seemed to be shyer than the other, always remaining in the background.

Heron's private moment

 This has got to be the longest stay by any Chinese Pond Heron in the taman after it has assumed breeding plumage.  It has been almost a month now and the pair are still seen about, and getting more used to human presence too, at least one of them.

I was especially pleased to chance upon its rare display of preening, up on a tree.

Looked like no feathers left untouched.

Preening included scratching, to the right, left, above and below too. 

Fluffing, reminding me of Old Scrooge.

And cleaning up included clearing the throat too, I guessed, as I have seen done with birds like the goshawk too, before it finally took off after a good 15 minutes of display.

Ready to leave, simply because of the approach of other birders that were now alerted to its presence.

Heron in gorgeous plumes

 A quick comparison and one can't help but observe that the Chinese Pond Heron is expected to fly home any time now.  It could return to China, Japan or the Indian sub-continent.

This has been one of the better years where I came across it on more than one occasion, even allowing me to get closer than before to it.  On top of that there was a pair when I first saw it but it's down to one now.

There's only a seven-day difference and it has assumed full breeding plumage.

Its most distinct feature is its chestnut-maroon head plumes and which is now in full stunning display as its stands out even in the shade.  Its back feathers are now deep bluish slaty too.

When it's down to this gorgeous plumage it's such a joy to enjoy its sight repeatedly.

Lesson from pond heron

 It did look like the Chinese Pond Heron, now looking almost in full breeding plumage, was trying to outdo me in waiting.

It spotted me even as I did it.

Then it merely stood there, looking in whichever direction it could whilst looking like it was keeping an eye on me.

Then it started to run towards me.

And to think that it was watching me!

It was merely an extremely patient hunter, standing there for almost 10 minutes before it made its move!

It turned round suddenly and I thought it had spied another prey.

And it sure did, and was successful too although minute this time.