Black Crowned Night Heron

Getting a close shot of one of these herons at Lake Merritt isn't too difficult these days. They have joined the pigeons, ducks, geese and gulls in eating the bread that many human visitors bring for the birds. Normally, they eat fish, and bread isn't too good for them, but they eagerly join in the rush for crumbs. Some have taken to roosting on top of a local fast food restaurant.

We passed by the nature center on our way to on of the Hands Across the Sands events (against oil drilling) that we attended. The other event was in Alameda.