These three images are of the same Green Heron taken from slightly different angles.



Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
August 21, 2023
This Green Hero seemed un-phased that he was being watched. Usually they are quick to fly when humans approach, but this one not only stayed for this photo session, when I looked from the other side of the pond twenty minutes later he was still there.
Looking at the duck weed stuck to his legs I expect he recently had been feeding along the pond edge.
Then it was all about tidying up, preening each feather.
A cloud went over the sun just as the heron turned towards me, completely changing the light.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
August 20, 2023
The salt water inlets around Charleston are filled with green marsh grasses for the summer.
If I hadn’t seen this Green Heron fly in I don’t think I would have spotted him in the grass that stood way over his head.
Shem Creek Marsh, Mount Pleasant, SC
June 22, 2023
Part 1 featured images of this Green Heron cropped square, endeavoring to show the bird framed by the dead branch.
Here are some other shots showing off the Heron, and that gnarly stick, a bit more.
A little different angle, closer in on the bird, but unfortunately without those puffy white clouds.
I waited in vain for the Heron to turn the other way for a different composition. I was repositioning, watching where I was putting my feet, and the bird flew off.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
August 7, 2022
I had my Canon 100mm Macro and Canon 100-400mm lenses with me on a recent trip to Magnolia Cemetery. A Green Heron hanging out on a dead branch gave me an opportunity to use both.
I was trying to frame the entire shot with the branch but other hanging vegetation nixed that idea. These images are all cropped square for the most interesting compositions.
Puffy white clouds added a nice element.
I was able to edit this final image taken with the 100-400mm lens in Lightroom to lighten the limb and the bird a bit. Interestingly, the same edit on the images with the 100mm lens had a very unnatural looking result.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
August 7, 2022
We were on the boardwalk that goes around Audubon Swamp and this Green Heron was scouting in a fallen tree just below us.
He checked out all the branches.
He was so close to the edge it was hard to get a clear view.
I expected him to fly off…
…instead he went out into the open for a full body shot before resuming his hunting.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
August 4, 2022
Ted pointed out this Green Heron, perched on the far side of an open swamp area we were walking.
Ted moved on, the Heron finally nabbed a fish.
Amazingly with all the flailing around the fish was doing, the Green Heron never moved.
He bided his time. He took so long that I gave up watching and missed the swallow.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
August 4, 2022
Several Green Herons were being elusive in the mangroves at the edge of a pond. I caught this fellow by surprise, for both of us.
He quickly adjusted.
Gave me one more shot then dove into the underbrush.
Black Point Wildlife Drive
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
April 12, 2022