WHITE FACED HERON Ardea novaehollandiea

Close up showing the nictitating membrane

It is great when you are editing your pics and discover something you didn't know you had captured .
As with the above shot of a White Faced Heron the second before it ducked it's face under the water a transparent film appeared over it's eye.
A Little bit of advice from friends in high places set me on the right track and  a visit with my best friend Google and then I found out that this event happens with a lot of creatures from birds to mammals and reptiles.
The transparent membrane protects the eye from injury

Moving his legs to disturb his lunch

In this shot you can see the Nictitating membrane

The White Faced Heron is found across Australia on lakes, rivers,dams and even on offshore reefs.
So far I have only observed them alone and as soon as they have seen me they have taken to the sky .
The diet of this bird consists of insects, mice, frogs,lizards and even small birds . Unlike other Herons they don't always nest near water and breed all year if the food supply is adequate . A  rough nest of sticks is built in a tree and up to 7 pale blue eggs are laid.