You can’t help but be impressed by a Green Heron’s patience and flexibility.
Staring intently into the water, seconds ticking by in this postion.
Wham!
The exciting part is over in a flash, with just the water ripples as evidence.
And once again he had success!
Sometimes the light just isn’t with you.
But you like the subject. A Green Heron on a gnarly branch worked for me.
I took the color out of the first two, but left the duckweed green in this last one.
I’ve often spotted a Green Heron in this patch of reeds; a walking path winds along the edge of a pond providing an interesting, if dark, view of their hunting behavior.
These herons don’t have any problem snagging a snack from this duckweed covered water.
I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know what’s lurking around below the surface.
Here’s a wider view of this Green Heron’s hunting territory. Beyond these reeds the water opens up into a pond.
A Green Heron flew up out of the reeds ahead of me along the dike.
The marsh grasses are full and bright in the middle of August. Bird activity is minimal, breeding is mostly done for the year, juveniles are fending for themselves, and the summer heat is keeping the wildlife tucked in.
Green Herons tend to be shy and I was rather surprised to get a series of images of this one out in the open.
He landed on a dead tree hanging over a pond.
Over a couple of minutes he turned
Boynton Trail, Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
June 29, 2019
I happened upon a Green Heron perched over a small pond.
Turns out he was looking for dinner and went beak first into the water.
Got it and sprung right out!
Pretty sure “it” is a frog.
And in a matter of seconds the heron swallowed it.
At first glance the fallen palm frond at the edge of the pond looked like a giant eye looking back at me. Even so it’s a peaceful scene.
This spot seems to be quite popular with the Green Herons right now.
As with most things bird, it probably has to do with food.
There is water beneath that grass, hard to say how deep, but enough to support the kinds of squiggly things little herons like to eat.
I’d had my eye out for a Green Heron on our first day back at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Usually they are tucked up at the edge of a pond or in low hanging limbs.
I was rather surprised to find this one stalking around in some swampy grass right out in the open.
He was finding something to eat, I saw just the swallowing.
