Pak Tam Chung 30 Nov 2019 - Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron is always one of my favorite birds so there is no doubt that we chose to visit this bird in this weekend, this bird was found in Sai Kung too as in 2014. (I even did not go for the Japanese Waxwing which could be my HK tick, but it did not show up today)

Just like the 2014 bird we saw, this individual is an immature and very friendly, allowing excellent views. We also guess HK may be a wintering spot for this endangered species.

A 9-hour checklist just for the Japanese Night Heron: https://ebird.org/checklist/S61860509

I am sure I will go again if the bird stays.

Japanese Night Heron - by iPhone. as friendly as the one we saw in 2014

Japanese Night Heron - I use my 7D mk I and 500mm IS I in 2014, so I am aiming to get some better photos this time

Japanese Night Heron - sometimes immature Japanese Night Heron can be confused with subadult or dull adult Malayan Night Heron. Comparing Malayan, Japanese's crown is much duller and more restricted, lacks the long crest of Malayan. 

Japanese Night Heron - the background is more artificial than the 2014 spot

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron - like having fun in Taiwan with the Malayan

Japanese Night Heron - looking for earthworms 

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron - we always wonder how did it sense the prey. observe? listen? feel?

Japanese Night Heron - again note the color of crown

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron - looking back the past

Japanese Night Heron -show well even the toes

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron - didn’t expect to get a tree-perching shot

Japanese Night Heron - hunting earthworm

Japanese Night Heron - with earthworm, which is also Koel’s favourite 

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron - looking for prey again

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron - I also love the long-neck pose

Japanese Night Heron - well camouflage 

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron - prepare to attack

Japanese Night Heron - attack

Japanese Night Heron - eat

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron - pulling hard

Japanese Night Heron - harder

Japanese Night Heron - and harder, and our memory in 2014 

https://www.hbw.com/ibc/photo/japanese-night-heron-gorsachius-goisagi/eating-earthworm

Japanese Night Heron - a dancing feeding GIF

Japanese Night Heron

my snack time

And this is also my second time to test the Sony gear, after making a little bit setting but still rooms to improve. The following photos are taken by A7RIV and 200-600mm.

I brought two set of gears out

Japanese Night Heron - noise control is really bad

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron - a fat ball

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron - want to BBQ?

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron - 200-600mm is good enough for friendly bird

Japanese Night Heron - easy birdwatching but difficult for photos especially for A7RIV

Japanese Night Heron - strong light allows lower ISO, faster shutter speed but stranger white balance

Japanese Night Heron - the avian dinosaur

Japanese Night Heron - i love this angry feeding shot

Japanese Night Heron

Japanese Night Heron - close up

Japanese Night Heron - lighting was worse than in 2014

Japanese Night Heron - the pose and color are so similar as in 2014

Japanese Night Heron

also thanks to Koel for the food!

my bag and the heron

Japanese Night Heron - photos by iPhone and Noctivid

Japanese Night Heron - an iPhone video