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-backed Heron – Merritt Island NWR, Florida:  After shooting the horned grebe in the previous post, I found this green-back heron.  I barely got out of the parking lot where when I saw this heron perched in a small tree.  I immediately loved the scene and stopped to shoot.  I usually see Green-backed herons perched in reeds or branches low and close to the water, but this one was perched in the open and high.  The bird was standing and looking forward.  I shot a few frames, but with the bird look straight ahead the image was boring.  Soon, the heron juxtaposed its head to its body and the composition changed.  The twist of the head and neck gave the image impending action and interest.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/800 second @ f8

Pic of the Day

  Green-backed Heron – Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands; Viera, Florida:  As I drove along the west side of a water impoundment at the Ritch Grissom wetlands in Viera, Florida I notice a photographer busy taking photos.  As I drove past I could see that she was taking photos of a Green-backed Heron.   The setting was very nice, but not wanting to disturb the photographer I drove on past about 300 feet and parked.  My plan was to back-up to the site when the photographer had finished and shoot the heron my self.  It was not long until I saw the photographer pack-up, get in her vehicle and leave.  But before I could get back to the spot, another photographer pulled-up and began to shoot.  Still I waited.  After five or ten minutes the second photographer left and I was able to back-up to the spot where the heron stood.  Much to my pleasant surprise the green-backed was still there, patiently waiting for a fish to swim by.

In slow motion I pulled all my gear together and slid down the road bank to the waters level and began to shoot.  The heron was motionless at it perched atop lily pads that were in various stages of flowering.  I shot a few photos as the bird lay in wait.  Like lighting it suddenly lunged forward and came up with a minnow.  Then it arose from its fishing spot, walked a few feet left, then right, and back left before settling in to a slightly different spot.  I photographed the heron from about fifteen minutes as it moved across the lily pads.  The heron was most patient with me, and my wait for the opportunity was well worth the time it took.  

Nikon D7000, Nikor 500mm f4, Digital Capture ISO 200, 1/1000 secon @ f 9

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