I am having problems lately trying to decide what to post on my blog. I haven’t been getting out as much as usual these cooler months, so therefore I don’t have new photographs as often as usual. My wife even complained about the blog yesterday about the Northern Cardinal. She said it was too short.
Today, I am going back to the archives again. I don’t remember the last time I wrote about the Green Herons, (Butorides virescens). They are the shortest of the herons at only 19 inches in length. But they are delightful to watch. When they are intent on their hunting, they are almost oblivious to anyone near.
About three years ago, we had our annual Water Lily Festival, at the International Water Lily Garden here in San Angelo, Texas. There were about 200 people, including city dignitaries, in attendance. There are five large pools of blooming water lilies from all over the world. But what stole the show, was a pair of juvenile Green Herons that flew in and started to flit among the water lily pads looking for minnows, etc., much to the delight of the large crowd.
This is a collection of photos that I have of these herons. Some were taken at that celebration. Others are from around the San Angelo area.
Green Heron - juvenile with tiny fish
Green Heron - juvenile
Green Heron - adult
Green Heron - on log in river
In the above photo, what appears as little spots are actually little highlights of water in the river. I was looking down at the heron from about six feet above him.
Green Heron - juvenile on large water lily pad
There you have it. I hope you enjoyed these photos of the Green Herons. Click on any of them for enlargements.
I always wondered why they were called Green Heron’s… Those feet and legs clear it up a bit! Speaking of ‘clear’ your photos really pop! Lovely as always Bob. ~ Lynda
Thanks, Lynda. I am glad you like all of my photos. I appreciate it and your compliments.
Oh dear. That should have been Herons plural not Heron’s.
(chuckle), I knew what you meant.
great shots Bob! what lovely birds.
Thank you, Sheila. I appreciate it. Nice to hear from you again.
Great shots Bob! These birds are really interesting. I watched some of them last year interacting with each other- I’ll have to do an archive post myself one of these days!
Thanks, Tracy. I appreciate your compliments and comments. I will look forward to reading your post.
Beautiful shots! We have them here on the Chesapeake Bay but they’re always ‘hiding’ in the grasses.
Thanks, Donna. They are usually hard to see, I agree. I just get lucky once in awhile.
Hey Bob – I just love herons and these are no exception! Much smaller and cheekier than I am used to over here but just as interesting! I do hope that everyone clicks on the small images to see the enlargements, because they are stunning in their sharpness and quality!
Take care!
John
Thank you very much, John. I appreciate it.
Wow Bob I am glad you hit the archives!!! These are great!!
Thank you very much, David. I am thankful that I have saved so many photos.
I love these photos. It is really fun for me to pop over here and see birds I’ve never seen before. Do you know whether these herons are only found in the warmer climates?
Thank you very much, Karen. I am really glad that you like to see my birds. The Green Heron is found over most from the mid-west throughout the eastern parts of the U.S., throughout the year. Also a few scattered parts of the west.
What an interesting looking bird! I always enjoy your posts Bob, no matter the length!
Thank you, Karen, I appreciate it very much. My wife enjoys the short ones but she’d rather read longer ones. So I guess that means she likes my posts, too.
Love what ever you post! They are beautiful!
Thank you ever so much. I appreciate your compliment and comment.
beautiful, Bob! Seriously, that’s a giant liy pad, not a kid’s swimming pool?
Yes, Jane, as I told Jo Wolf in her comment, it is really big. Those edges are about 4 inches high. And of course, the heron is a juvenile, so it looks pretty small standing there. Thanks for the comment and compliment. I appreciate it.
I just recently discovered your blog, but I love it and could only hope that some day I am as good as you. Beautiful photos as usual.
Thanks you very much. You flatter me, but I like it.
Terrific images Bob! I can see why the Green Herons would delight the crowds, they are gorgeous birds.
Thank you very much, Mia. They are real cuties.
Lovely pix of a lovely bird – I esp. love the one with the lily flowers
Thanks very much, Cindy. I appreciate your comments and great to hear from you.
Bob,
Thanks for this post. I love Green Herons. We often have a small rookery in the pines in our yard. I enjoy watching the little ones grow. But among the thick branches, it’s hard to photograph them. Wouldn’t it be a small world if we could prove that “your” herons were “my” herons.
Blessings,
Bruce
Yeah, that would really a small world.
Thanks for the comment, Bruce.
That’s a VERY big lily leaf (last photo!) A very convenient pad for fishing! Beautiful photos, I especially love the 2nd one.
Yes it is a big leaf in that last photo. That leaf is about 5 feet across, too. One of the exotic water lilies, I think, is from South America. Thanks for the great compliment, Jo. I really appreciate it.
I look forward to your posts, no matter how long or short they are. As some one who is a nature photographer, I understand that neither the weather or the critters always cooperate on cue. I didn’t shoot a single photo for three days straight earlier this week, then nearly filled my memory card in one day. That’s the way it goes at times. I love your blog, and I think to myself as I am getting ready to photograph something, “How would Bob do this?” so I thank you for all that I have learned from you!
Wow, that is some great compliment. You sure know how to make a guy feel good.
Pure delight. Loved these, Bob.
Thank you, Nandini. I appreciate you.
The photos are absolutely marvelous. I had checked earlier for your post, but nada..so glad I looked again before retreating to the studio and my Common Red Poll birds. The size of the lily pads blows my mind..we have a few here in Colorado, but nothing like yours in Texas. I love the detail of the Green Herons ..especially the first two. Well off to work, but much more enthusiasm than a few minutes ago. Made my day..
I agree!
Those huge lily pads are not native to Texas. That particular one is from a lily from South America. The blossom is about 10-11 inches across. This garden is an International Collection. I’m glad you liked them, Syl.
Hi Bob
Uncannily, I was thinking about you today and waiting for your daily post. At the same time I too felt a bit ‘stuck’ re my blog (at least you have archives!)
I find your blog incredible and inspiring and I think it was one of the first I discovered when I joined WordPress. I have learned so much from your blog – about birds, photography, life. In fact (I hope you don’t mind me saying this) over the last few months of my husband’s illness worsening, your blog has opened my eyes to the wild birds around here, and cheered me up and on.
I cannot thank you enough.
Julie
Thank you very much, Julia. I really appreciate your very kind words, and I am glad that I made such an impression on your life.
Nice set of images, Bob. The Green Herons are clowns. Full of energy and personality. Outstanding photo subjects.
Thanks, Jim. I agree with you whole-heartedly.
Seeing those lily pads sure make me miss the International Water Lily Collection! Love the photos too. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Mike, great to hear from you. I’ve been checking your blog hoping you will post some more of your photos. I am glad that you are enjoying mine.
Believe it or not, I was working on some photos from our trip to Puerto Rico last week, and some from a cheap digital cam that I bought for a drive past the Guadelupe Mtns this week. As you can see I am traveling the world now…
I should have something up on the Mem’ries this weekend. Thank you for staying interested!
Great, Mike, I’ll look forward to seeing them.
Very nice pictures Bob!
Thanks, H.J.