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