Which Heron is this??

Never saw this before. I shot it from the a very little boat on which I could not move so, regrettably, not way to play with the composition plus the boat was pretty unstable and my 600mm has been about to fall into the water several times...I spotted this beautiful bird and, just the time to shoot a burst and, he was gone for good.

Giulio

Hi Giulio.
It is a Squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides). It is in full breeding plumage (colors of beak, legs and elongated nape feathers)

Theodoros

Giulio, this one is an adult squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides) in full breeding plumage. If you want to see more images of this species I have enclosed links to some of my squacco heron images, here at BPN (http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=14317 ;
http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=11382 ; http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=11874 )

Man, what is the date of photographing this beauty? You captured him in an extraordinary nice plumage.

Szimi

Got him at the beginning of July, late afternoon, in Hutovo Blato, south Bosnia, close to the border with Croatia.

Giulio