Tricolored Herons are in constant motion as they feed.
Occasionally showing off their full neck span:
When the catch is this small you need to feed continuously.
I passed this fellow a couple of times over the course of an hour or more, and he was just working his way back and forth in the shallow water.
A slight pause, watching for movement in the water.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 17, 2021
Another series from yesterday’s grey experience, a Tricolored Heron feeding in the same shallow pond as the Avocet.
Incredible patience…
The pounce…
And it paid off!
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 19, 2023
A single Tricolored Heron was hanging out at the rookery area. It’s a bit early for them to be nesting, and there was no sign of breeding colors.
He had figured out there were easy meals to be had: the water was teaming with minnows which of no interest to the alligators.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 6, 2023
Tricolored Herons are much more animated and cover more territory while feeding than most of their relatives.
Rather than standing patiently and waiting, their strategy is to weave back and forth in knee deep water.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 12, 2022
A few squawks from this Tricolored Heron alerted me to the impending fly-by.
When he got closer he was quiet, and passed on by in perfect form.
The late afternoon sun lit him up, while the trees behind had gone into shadow.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 12, 2022
Another wooden trunk between some old rice fields, this one controls the flow of water from the canal in the foreground to the impoundment behind that dike. This set of trunks was replaced last year and only this side has the full pivoting door mechanism.
I knelt down to get the next image, where you can see open water in the impoundment on the other side. The grackle and the Tricolored Heron had moved on and the juvenile night heron took that opportunity to claim a post.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 14, 2022
This wooden trunk is the conduit for the canal water under the road between some old rice field impoundments, not far from where Snowy Egret Fishing on the Fly
Just before I took this series the Tricolored Heron nabbed a fish then landed back on the trunk support.
I waited, and waited then finally!
All that skittering on the water surface is from fish trying not to be lunch.
Unfortunately he flew close to the canal edge and I couldn’t get out far enough to keep the grass from interfering with my shot.
This time the heron kept flying down the canal with his catch.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 14, 2022
Note: this post was supposed to get published this morning before “King of the Hill” and for some unknown reason is marked “Missed Schedule.” Not sure what is up with that, but here it is … I hope.
Wading birds often take advantage of another bird of their own or a different species leading the way as they feed.
It can work both ways.
The Spoonbill will benefit from the edible morsels that get stirred up by the Heron’s passing by as he sifts the water.
The Heron is looking for larger prey, which also can reveal their position as the birds wade around.
These two birds stuck together for several minutes until the Spoonbill got distracted by another activity, seen in my next post.
Black Point Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
April 12, 2022
Now what turned into some beak clacking.
Size isn’t everything, but sometimes it helps.
Finally the Tricolored Heron made a full body move…
…pushing the Snowy Egret off his perch.
The Tricolored Heron got tangled up in the palm fronds for a few seconds, but not apparent damage.
Territorial Dispute: Snowy Egret vs Tricolored Heron, Part 1
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 13, 2022
Get back!
No, you get back!
We’re both back, now what?
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 13, 2022
