As a Wildlife Photographer, I always look for unique and interesting moments to capture in the wild. Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph a juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron scratching.

I photographed this Yellow-crowned Night-Heron in an area called Minor’s Cove, which is at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

Capturing this juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron scratching was a unique and unforgettable experience. As a Wildlife Photographer, it is always rewarding to capture moments like these and share them with others. Whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur, I encourage you to keep an eye out for these opportunities and take advantage of them when they present themselves.

Gear Used:

• Camera: Canon EOS R5
• Lens: RF100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

Technical:

• Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
• Date and Time Taken: August 16, 2022 (08:23 A. M.)
• Exposure Mode: Manual
• Aperture: f8.0
• Shutter speed: 1/3200
• ISO: 1600 (Auto)
• White Balance: Auto
• Metering Mode: Evaluative
• Back-button Focus
• Animal Eye Single Point Auto Focus
• Exposure Compensation: -2/3 EV
• Focal Length: 500 mm

I captured this stunning portrait of a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron while visiting the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

I was equipped with my trusty Canon EOS R5 camera and an RF 800 mm F11 IS STM lens, which allowed me to zoom in and capture the details of the bird’s unique appearance. The 800 mm focal length was key in getting a tight shot, highlighting every intricate feather and feature.

The photo was taken on July 24, 2022 at 9:04 A.M., using aperture priority exposure mode. The aperture was at f11 which is fixed. The shutter speed was 1/1250, and the ISO to 1250, with an exposure compensation of -1/3. These settings allowed me to freeze the motion of the bird and capture the moment with clarity and balance.

This portrait of the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron showcases the bird’s stunning beauty.

I photographed this Yellow-crowned Night-Heron eating a Crayfish at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma back in June 2017. They appear at this refuge during this month and I can usually find them close to the tour road after a rain.

The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron eats mainly crustaceans (crabs and crayfish) as well as insects, some fish or worms. It can also feed on lizards, small rodents and small birds. The main thing I see these birds eating on at this refuge is crayfish.

How I Got The Shot – Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

I spotted this Heron close to the tour road in the area of Miner’s Cove. It was busy catching Crayfish and didn’t pay me any attention. I was able to park my pickup on the side of the road to get this shot.

I had my Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera resting on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup. I was using a Canon EF 100 – 400 mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens. I was shooting in aperture priority mode (AV) with a shutter speed of 1/320 of a second at f7.1 and the ISO at 1000. White Balance on auto. I was using single point, continuous auto focus with evaluative metering.