Who is This in My Back Yard??

 

I was casually looking out the kitchen window earlier, and spotted this on my lawn! Not having my glasses on, I wasn't able to clearly see what or who it was! I could tell it wasn't a cat as it was too tall.

As I put my glasses on I grabbed my camera and went outside onto my back steps. It was a bird! A bird with a very long sharp beak, and he/she (?) was busy strolling around my lawn as if he owned the place. He pretty much ignored me snapping photo's, and after about ten minutes he flew up on to the fence. Then I quickly went inside to check on some food I was cooking. When I went back outside again, he was further down the yard. I took a few more photo's and then I spotted Wookie in the bushes behind the bird! She started to run towards the bird, and he flew off. I doubt that he will come back, knowing there's a cat that wants him for lunch! 

He is a white faced Heron. He had seemed very relaxed and at home strolling around my lawn...until Wookie saw him. She LOVES birds, but not in the right way. 

Some of you may remember the photos I took last year, of a Pukeko (Swamp Hen) who was wandering around my back lawn. Well this Heron is about the same size, just with a different beak and different colours. Sadly it is becoming more common to see both these birds in suburbia. That's due to their natural habitat being demolished to build more houses. I usd to see both these birds by the creek at my horse paddock not far from here. Sadly the paddocks are gone and the creek has been piped underground. I know people need houses, but I feel so bad for the displaced wildlife. Both these birds are swamp or water birds. They can't just move to another swamp or creek because humans are filling in what is or was their 'homes' and nests. Sometimes humans really annoy me. 

Thanks for dropping by, have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!