Whenever you visit Trin Warren Tam-boore, chances are you will see a White-faced Heron. It is not clear if it is always the same heron that you see every time. I have seen more than one heron of this species in the same day. I seem to remember seeing as many as 6 White-faced Herons at the same time.

This particular heron was photographed on 22 May 2025. I have similar photographs taken a few days prior. It was a bird that is fairly comfortable with people around it. It allowed me close proximity before displaying any signs of anxiety. The fact that it allowed me to be close provided me with an opportunity to isolate the subject in my photographs. These photographs shown here required very little post-processing. This is not something that can be said of most birds.

The White-faced Heron was the first reasonably large bird I have photograph at the beginning of my wildlife photography journey. So, it has a very special place in my heart.

The 800mm lens that I normally use at Trin is a bit too long for this bird. I think a 400mm would have suffice and will get an image with a clean background.

Some people I know will not give any thought to photographing this bird. The reason being that it is too common. I always respond by saying that I would rather get a beautiful photograph of a common bird than get a bad photograph of a rare bird. Give me a Superb Fairywren or a New Holland Honeyeater or, indeed, a White-faced Heron any day.

This photograph of the White-face Heron was taken at the bird hide at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore on 30 September 2024.

The Heron was perched on a nearby tree when I first spotted it. When it flew down to the pond, I seize the opportunity to take this photograph as it banks before landing.

I often find flight shots of birds more interesting than when they are perched on the tree or on the ground – doubly so on the day when this photograph was taken where the background is of the habitat and not a boring blue sky.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/3200s f/6.3 ISO4000

The White-faced Heron is a very common bird in Australia. From time to time, I would observed that their feathers are made to stand up as depicted by the photograph. I am guessing it is part of their grooming process. This photograph was taken on 1 June 2024 at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-Boore.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/400s f/6.3 ISO500