Green Heron (Butorides virescens)

 

This is probably the same Green Heron  (Butorides virescens) that I have photographed in previous years, that sounds incredible I know but the fishermen in the marina tell me that they have seen this bird every day for the last few years.  As you can see, it likes to perch on the mooring ropes of the trip boats and then enjoys free offerings of left over bait, he's living the high life!  He's a pretty impressive bird and regardless of whether he is an old aquiantance or not, I really enjoyed photographing him this afternoon.  Butorides virescens is the Green Heron here in the USA, in Asia and specifically in Sri Lanka Striated Heron (Butorides striata)  replaces the Green Heron. I photographed this species both in Sri Lanka (see here) and also on the Ross River in Queensland.

Apart from the Heron I had several other great photographic treats today, I had my first Osprey who succesfully caught a Mullet in front of us, great to watch. Here's a selection of today's pictures.

 

An Osprey flying past before diving to catch a fish,

This is an adult male Magnificent Frigatebird

 

 

Sandwich Tern, interestingly the commonest tern at the moment. At other times of the year here, Royal Tern are the predominant tern species.

 

And now  an adult Brown Pelican

....and from the massive to the tiny, a Sanderling.