Pic of the Day

Green Heron, Butorides virescens:  Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/1250 second @ f8

Pic of the Day

Green Heron, Butorides Virescens (immature):  Viera Wetlands; Viera, Florida

     Another treat from the Viera Wetlands this past July was this Green Heron feeding among the lily pads.  This young bird should do quite well, for I saw it plucking dozens of minnows from among the lily pads in about thirty minutes.  Its raised crest is due to  another juvenile Green Heron feeding in the same patch of lily pads.  It did not like the competition.

Pic of the Day

Green Heron, Butorides virescens:  Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park

     Last week I arrived at Anhinga Trail at sunrise looking for any birds I could find to photograph.  I expected to find the trail overrun with birds, but that was not the case.  In fact there were few birds, but the few I found were very cooperative.  I spotted this Green Heron shortly after the sun breached the horizon perched atop a rock looking for fish in the slough. 

     The setting was great, the lighting was great, but the heron was turned with its tail toward the good light, not what I wanted to photograph.  I set up hoping the bird would turn, and within seconds it turned profile to the camera and then raised the hallux (1^st digit) on its left foot.  That slight gesture heighted the potential energy and interest of the pose.  I shot a burst of images, but only one captured the raised hallux, but one was all that was needed.  I just love it when everything comes together.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4,  1/1250 sec. @ f8, ISO 640

Pic of the Day

Green Heron, Butorides virescens: Blue Heron Wetlands; Titusville, Florida

Green Heron, Butorides virescens: Blue Heron Wetlands; Titusville, Florida

     Green Herons are one of our smallest herons at eighteen inches in length.  Its habitat preference is swamps, marshes, lakes, ponds and streams.  It has an affinity for a wet habitat with trees and shrubs where it can remain concealed.  Green Herons are often seen perched motionless on a lower branch just inches above water awaiting a passing minnow.

     Of all the herons, the Green Heron is the only one known to use lures to catch fish.   Green Herons often use bread, insects, earthworms, twigs, feathers and brightly colored leafs to bait small fish and lure them within striking distance.

     Green Herons are a widespread species.  They range from the tip of Florida to southern Canada, and from the eastern seaboard to Colorado.  They are also found along the coast of our western states.

To see more images of Green Herons I have shot follow these links. http://www.bobbyharrison.blogspot.com/search/label/Green%20Heron  and  http://www.bobbyharrison.blogspot.com/search/label/Green-backed%20Heron

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/1000 second @ f6.3

Pic of the Day

    Green Heron – Anhinga Trail; Everglades National Park, Florida:  Anhinga Trail is one of the most reliable places on the planet to find birds to photograph.   During the dry season from January to April, a plethora of birds to watch and photograph can be found on the .8 tenths mile trail.

   I do not remember a time that I have been to Anhinga Trail and not seen green herons perched on a rock or low hanging branch snatching minnows from the slough.  This Green Heron was photographed in the late evening light as the sun was setting.  While the orange light of the setting sun barely illuminated the heron, it revealed detailed, intricate patterns in the heron’s feathers that are often overlooked by the casual observer.  

Nikon D300, Nikkor 500mm f4, Digital Capture ISO 400, 1/125^th Second, f6.3

Pic of the Day

Green Heron – Wakodahatchee, Florida: This is another image shot at the Wakodahatchee wetlands in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Green Heron, formerly known as the Green-backed Heron and the Little Green Heron is one of the smallest of our heron species. The species is common in Wakodahatchee and usually seen from the elevated boardwalk stalking prey. Greenbacks often hang or perch on limbs inches above the water waiting for a small fish to swim by. The Green Heron is also known for using bait to catch fish. They often use bright colored leaf, bread, worms or other objects to place on the water to attract prey fish. When a fish comes to investigate the heron strikes and catches its meal. The Green Heron nest in loose colonies from Texas to Maine and Florida to the Dakotas. It is also found all along the west coast as well.
Nikon F5, Nikkor 500mm, f4, Ektachorme 100s