Juvenile Green Heron
Green herons are typically solitary and secretive birds, but if you find one, you often have an extended period of time to observe it, as they often slowly stalk their prey, or pose statue-like, sometimes for minutes at a time, while waiting to strike at a fish, frog or invertebrate. Three characteristics tell you that the green heron in the photograph is a juvenile: the tufts of down that remain on its head, its streaked neck (adults have solid rufous necks) and its yellow legs (adults have orange legs).
Herons are, in my opinion, the martial arts masters of the bird world – great patience combined with reflexes that are fast as lightning.
July 26, 2012 at 3:14 pm
I couldn’t agree more, Kellyann!
July 26, 2012 at 4:35 pm
It does seem as if it were posing… just for you!
July 26, 2012 at 4:35 pm