Rising Tide Images
Patient Precision
A patient ambush predator, the ‘auku’u, or black-crowned night heron, motionlessly anticipates the perfect moment for a precision strike then catches a fresh cichlid. The nictitating membrane that protects the eye during the strike and prey handling is still retracting as the bird swallows the fish head first. The ‘auku’u is a well-adapted to a variety of aquatic habitats, from protected upland watersheds to urban drainage channels to ocean side tide pools. This indigenous sub-species of night heron is generally diurnal in Hawaii. The red eyes are stunningly captivating!
Patient Precision
A patient ambush predator, the ‘auku’u, or black-crowned night heron, motionlessly anticipates the perfect moment for a precision strike then catches a fresh cichlid. The nictitating membrane that protects the eye during the strike and prey handling is still retracting as the bird swallows the fish head first. The ‘auku’u is a well-adapted to a variety of aquatic habitats, from protected upland watersheds to urban drainage channels to ocean side tide pools. This indigenous sub-species of night heron is generally diurnal in Hawaii. The red eyes are stunningly captivating!