Western Reef Heron

I know very little about these birds, but from what I've gathered so far they are normally found in Africa. However, this one somehow made it's way to New Hampshire! I originally thought it was a Great Blue Heron, but several people have informed me that it is indeed a Western Reef Heron - an extremely rare bird! People from other states (as far away as Michigan) have travelled to NH in an attempt to see it themselves. I was lucky to have photographed it in Rye Harbor, NH while I was waiting to go on a whale watch. It just flew right over the boat which made for very easy shooting. Enjoy!

Congrats for nicely capturing this rare bird in-flight Mandy.

Nice sharp images

Beautiful shots of a real rarity! I've read about this bird on forums recently. I think there was one in Maine, although this may be (likely is) the same bird. Awesome!

Probably is the same bird. From what I'm being told I photographed this bird 12 days before it was actually 'reported' to be in the area. If this is true, I was the first person to catch it on film. unless or course, there's someone out there like me who doesn't know what they photographed!

Wow! Congrats on the Rare Bird!
that's quite a find... and great pics of it too

Congrats on a unique capture. Nice!

Congrats Zipline! What a treat. Beautiful photos too. Good for you.

Another congratulations from me, always special to get captures like this and nice ones at that. Very lucky to have such an oppertunity, well done.

Congrats, I am very jealous. I actually saw him a couple of weeks ago by Odiorne Point. He was 200 yards away and my pics were not very good.

This is only the 2nd Western Reef Heron sighting in North America. So, it is very rare indeed.

For those in the area who would like to get a shot at him here is a link: http://birdingonthe.ne​t/mailinglists/NHBD.ht​ml to locations he has been spotted at. It is updated daily.