Howdy folks. I have good news. Brad has checked in and thanks to a harrowing escape from a very agitated splinter tribe of the Baka, he’ll be returning to home base soon yeah! Best of all, he has digital cards full of future post fodder sure to entertain our readers. I’ll have to wait to hear the full office report out – dodging poison darts sounds like some serious popcorn munching stories. Linda and I are heading out into the field ourselves. Just a week stint for us, although I contend it feels a lot longer with limited amounts of sleep in Sin City. Expecting a big boost to my current Average Year count (link here) currently sitting at a respectable 210 thanks to two recent visitors to our feeders. Just to set the schedule, this will be the last post of the month from me in order to give me a chance to respond to comments etc. before we jet out. Brad will then take the helm to close out what is left of February and the first post or two in March.
With the admin work out of the way, how about we get to today’s featured feathered friend.
Completely opposite the sun soaked issues I had to deal with in the previous Cattle Egret post, today’s series is more of a literal drenching. Rather than having to battle the exposure gods to keep from blowing out the brilliant whites of that Egret, I found myself trying to suck in all the light I could to pull this Green Heron out of darkness. Rain had just passed, the sky was still thick with overcast and the waters around the South Padre Island Bird Viewing and Nature Center (and now Alligator Sanctuary) had taken on a dreary tone.
Hit the jump to see a few more pictures of our rain soaked shore hunter.
To be honest, I actually enjoy shooting during…eh, make that immediately after a good rain as you generally get a rather pleasing, rich coloring. The namesake deep green of this Heron gets slightly lost in this setting, but the lush chestnut on the neck down through the breast really stands out. I also like how the yellow highlights in the eyes, on the lores and underbill are easily seen in its adult plumage.
For those not familiar with the SPI Birding Center, it happens to be my second favorite place to bird in all of South Texas and into the Rio Grande Valley area. Located on the southern end of the barrier island, this center sits on the Laguna Madre side. A location with a mix of salt marsh, tidal flats, mangroves and related coastal habitation that present a strong pull for an incredible selection of birds and other marine life.
One such bird I can always guarantee a visit with is the Green Heron. They are definitely not a “rare” bird for those of us that are able to live/visit the eastern half of the US (during breeding season) or the west coast/southern border year round. Their range extends south covering all of Central America and the northern part of South America. Every once in a while, I’ll encounter one hanging out at the pond in the state park just down the road (link here). The advantage of SPI is they are quite accustomed to the parade of people passing by on the extensive network of boardwalks. Photographers appreciate “conditioned” birds as they are incredibly tolerant of having long barreled missile launchers pointed at them. This particular specimen couldn’t care less I was standing a mere 10 feet away – the ones around here will illicit their boisterous call – can’t really explain it accurately so I’ll go with Cornell’s SKEOW sound. I liken it to an Ogre choking on a Bunny Rabbit, but granted, that may be difficult to visualize.
I also appreciate this Heron’s hunting style, Sure the Great Blue Heron can wait patiently, but the Greens bring a whole new level of dedication. Pick a spot and stare at it, continue staring, stare some more, {Bri checks watch}, still staring, {Bri’s arms tiring from holding The Beast}, yes, still staring, {for the love of god, please give me a different pose}, nope, just gonna sit right here and continue my staring contest with my reflection. To get the first two shots I had to move.
Ron can attest, I am not the most patient birder, especially when it comes to subjects I have the pleasure of seeing multiple times a year. This one finally decided to check out what was causing the Tricolored Heron to dance the Watusi (link here) down the way. As Green was passing it gave me the “and you can mosey your butt down the boardwalk in the opposite direction” look. A bit feisty today, surprised I didn’t get the raised crown as an added emphasis. “Fine, I’ll leave but just because my arms are tired” – never give them the satisfaction of bossing you around.
I should probably get packing. Short on interesting tidbits for this Heron, but I do have more in my previous feature (link here). In that post you will learn more about their use of fishing “tools”.
See ya’ soon, take care everyone and give Brad a hearty welcome Brad!
Wildlife Intrigued 
That Green Heron has a great angry bird look. Excellent shots. Will Steel Panther be playing while you are sinning with little sleep? Albuquerque isn’t on their radar.
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Definitely, I think the yellow in the eyes give it that intense, leave me alone I might go postal look to them. We are JUST MISSING Steel Panther at the House of Blues at Mandalay – think they play tonight – so bummed as we wanted to see their new lineup and here some of there new songs live..and people watch of course – case you head to Vegas to see them, they usually don’t come on until midnight (or later)…the Axl parody element. There is an Iron Maiden tribute band and a Scorpions tribute band we are thinking about checking out while we are there (at Vamp’d). Should be fun as long as the body holds up ha.
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When I played with a group in Spain, our gigs rarely started before midnight. I can’t do those wee morning hours these days. Getting old and boring.
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Vegas is my yearly notice to my body that it isn’t allowed to get old and boring..at least not yet. To be honest, it is a bit of a break for my body as I take a mini-vacation from the daily long runs …all I ask of it is to carry me through the bird hunts during the day and the limited shut-eye during the night..that’s it, easy peasy ha.
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Not asking for much.
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After all, I do feed it and give it delicious libations, what more could it want ha.
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Scores? I saw them decades ago.
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Should have read “Scorps”, darn auto-correct.
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hahaha, no worries, I knew what you meant.
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Great color.
Travel safe and enjoy your birding in Vegas.
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Thanks! We’ll do our best to stay safe, although it is Vegas ha. Very excited about the birding, this infusion of western birds will be a big help in pushing me over the 300 this year – don’t want to pulling my hair out like I was at the end of last year (and still came up 2 short). Appreciate you coming by.
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Nicely colored heron. Much smaller than their blue cousins. But they look like they have attitude to spare. Careful on your adventure.
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Definitely smaller, especially when they are all hunched down looking for victims. Tim mentioned their attitude as well – definitely give off that I’m special, you not so much vibe. no begone vibe ha. Hopefully we will not have to dodge any poison darts! Welcome back.
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Thanks! Still sorting photos. At least no gators, poisonous snakes, or flying missiles to worry about here.
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Terrific bird and post.
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Thank you Sherry. Although they have a bit of attitude as pointed out by Brad and Tim, they are a rather stunning bird with their rich coloring – wish I would have been able to get a shot with their crown up in this series – I did manage to get that feature in the tin on this year’s outing to present in their next featured post. Appreciate your visit, take care.
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Wonderful photos of the lovely green heron, Brian. You did a great job with this skulker, capturing his best sides and rich colors. I also liked hearing about the SPI Birding Center. Good luck in your travels ahead and happy birding.
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Thank you Jet! The damp conditions ended up working to my advantage (also helps it was patient with me while I dialed in the settings ha). I think you would enjoy the SPI Birding Center, the boardwalks cut down on the pesky insects and as mentioned above, the birds are very tolerant of noisy humans. Forgot to point out, if you didn’t want to pay the rather steep admission fee, there is a similar set of boardwalks at the convention center next door that are free. As they say, similar, but not the same – they do have the best tidal flats on the other side of the convention center which is free (at least during the season we are down there). Birds a bit more cautious, but they get a lot of the Plovers, Peeps, Oystercatchers, Skimmers etc that shy away from the busy birding center. Appreciate you dropping in and hoping to have lots of new stories to share upon our return.
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Your images are wonderful. I have only had to do with “nonconditioned” representatives of this kind. If they grace us with their presence at all during the summer, they will take off at the slightest hint that anybody shows any interest in them. I can only dream of getting to within 10 feet of one!
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Thank you Tanja, always easier with a willing subject for sure. We met a number of other Green Herons in the multitude of places we hit while down along the border and by far the SPI residents are the most accommodating – like you experienced., most of the time they sqwauuuk (quite the jump if you don’t know they were there) and then head to quieter waters. Glad you enjoyed and thanks for stopping by.
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Always my pleasure!
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Ok. I am confused. Is this blue & purple bird an Egret or a Heron?
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So, this featured specimen is a Heron (Green). My last post was of a Egret (Cattle). Just to put how much confusion there can be with regards to coloring among these two families:
Great Egret – white
Snow Egret – white with yellow feet
Cattle Egret – white with tan highlights
Reddish Egret – slate grey with Rust colored head … or white
Little Blue Heron – slate grey/blue with purple/maroon head … or white
Tricolored Heron – slate grey, purple and white
Great Blue Heron – slate grey, purples, black and white
Green Heron – very deep green, chestnut or .. brown and white
Black-Crowned Night-Heron – slate grey, black, white or .. brown and white
Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron – slate grey, black, white, yellow or .. brown and white
Damn confusing I say ha! (truth be told, there are key features beyond color for each that make it pretty easy to distinguish)
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I remember the Snow Egret from Donna. Great Blue Herons, I have seen with my own eyes. They are near our river in the summertime.
So, the cute little multicolored bird was a Little Blue Heron?
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The one featured here is a Green Heron – The Little Blue looks has more of a slate coloring with a purplish head (not the white morph variety)
https://wildlifeintrigued.com/2020/10/09/comedy-on-the-boardwalk/
The Tricolored Heron is similarly colored, but will have a white underbelly and depending on whether it lets you see it our not a white stripe down the front of the neck – here is a picture for reference.
https://wildlifeintrigued.com/2019/10/30/well-hi-there-tri/
Both of those were taken at nearly the exact same place as this Green Heron was standing.
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My goodness. You know your Herons. And, you are right. Naming them is confusing. It’s a cute, fat thing. 😁
Thanks for the help. ❤
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It’s kinda my thing ha. I do like CFT as a possible naming category…although undoubtedly someone will complain about body shaming birds because that is the society that has (d)evolved as of late. You are quite welcome for the help – that is prime directive for us here at Intrigued.
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I am not “politically correct.” Perhaps I need to “alter” my CFT description, making “F” mean “fluffy.” Don’t cancel me…🙄😑😖
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Ha, same here, you are safe – Linda and I are unoffendable, uncancelable and for the most part unfiltered. What you see is what you get
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Another great post!
Really nice job on photographing this Green Heron. I love the extra color saturation from the recent rain. The subtle colors and textures of this little heron’s plumage is quite special.
I could watch one for hours. Oh, wait, been there. Often. Sore arms, yep.
Good luck on your trip.
(Vegas has birds??)
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Thank you Wally, appreciate the kind words. Something about post rain that gives the images such a nice deep coloring (at the cost of some grain, but these days we can deal with a lot of that in the digital darkroom). You know the exact experience Wally. I tend to leave the tripod in the car and I swear that glass gets ten pounds heavier while shooting these creatures. I know Brad has the Janpod for times like this… I need to start sweet talking Linda and see if she’ll let me use her for a stabilizer (not holding my breath ha). Vegas has some incredible places to bird. Henderson Bird Viewing Viewing Preserve is by far my favorite there – numerous pounds which are a huge draw in the desert and being in the Vegas flightpath the birds are very tolerant of people. There are several other places near there as well. On the other side of Vegas is Red Rock Conservation Area and then with a slightly longer drive you can get to Fire Valley SP. All good places to see our feathered friends and even if the birds are too hungover from a night on the strip and sleep in, the various trails will still put a smile on your face. Oh, and the Vegas strip has one of the largest flocks of Night Owls you will ever find hehehe.
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Such rich colors, I love this bird. I marked SPI area on my maps. Glad to hear Brad is back safely. I have never travelled outside of the states. There are so many places to see right here, but I do love looking at others photos from far away places. The world is a beautiful place.
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Definitely go there if you get a chance – well worth it, but I will say their admission is a bit pricey (discounts at 65). As mentioned in post, there is another set of boardwalks at the convention center next door that is free – I just never get the same experience over there. If you are there, be sure and hit the flats on the other side of the convention center. I might have taken a few liberties with the destination based on where he ended up, but I am sure he will bring us some good adventure stores (and set the record straight ha!).
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😊 thank you, great tips.
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👌👌
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Thank you for stopping by!
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You are welcome
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Great color.
Travel safe and enjoy your birding in Vegas.
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Thank you Max. Things are going very well out here so far with over 22 new birds for this year and more importantly, some of those include new lifers. Definitely enjoy all the places to bird – the variety of environments (washes, desert, mountains, etc.) makes for a target rich environment. Take care and hoping to feature some of the new finds once we make it back home. Take care and appreciate you coming by.
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Ooh, looking forward to your finds from a journey to the west! Capturing this Greenie was a good job, agree they seem to have infinite patience (much more than me). And that saturated color in the rainy weather is to die for!
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So far it is going absolutely fantastic! Had a stretch goal of 21 new birds for this year while out here and already crossed that threshold with a few more days left (assuming our bodies can take it ha). We have made a point to visit a number of new birding places this year and excited to be able to report all about them once we make it back home – fingers crossed less wind on the way back, they had to land here in 50mph gusts and that got a bit rough. Always appreciate it when Mother Nature gives my shots a little more pop. Thanks for dropping in Sam, take care.
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