Green Legs and Hamming

Well, we are well into September and it is turning out to be as expected…BUSY. Thankfully Brad has come to my rescue with his recent adventures. He is now getting ready to go back out into the field and I wanted to give him some time to gear up… and…wait for it… wait for it…allow him time to properly celebrate his 1 year anniversary with Intrigued. Was shocked it has been that long until going back and reviewing all his posts since that debut… if I count correctly he has let us ride shotgun on 31 adventures! Normally we would have a small celebration with cake and alcohol, but since the infamous “sparkler incident” our kitchen has been under renovation and our baker is still bandaged up tighter than a mummy on our haunted trail. In lieu of that, let’s all give Brad (and his crew Jan and Allyson) a big round of applause. Best of all, he has plenty more in the queue to keep us entertained going forward.

While the celebration continues, I thought I’d work on a post while the paint dries on my two new 8 foot (yes, foot!) spiders – we grow ’em big out here in the Midwest country. Can’t wait to show everyone how those turn out. Looked into my queue and found today’s featured feathered friend.

Little Blue Heron found at Galveston Island State Park in January 2022

Hit the jump to “Say hello to my little friend”

I remember seeing Brad’s post on this “Blue Imposter” (link here) come through and as a result, put this series back on the queue to give it proper space. Today is a perfect time to revisit the immature Little Blue Heron, not to mention I am pressed for time between trying to get my elbow healed up, readying for the 100K torture and more pressing..finishing up props for the fast approaching Haunted Trail (link here). Brad already expertly covered the “incognito” whites of the immature coat, so no need to revisit that aspect.

Little Blue Heron found at Galveston Island State Park in January 2022

I have always referred to the Little Blue Heron as the “Dipping Bird” (link here). I may be tipping my hat to my age with that reference …or admitting to bellying up to the bar when I was 6 and slamming back kiddie cocktails with the local barflies (every bar had one of those dippers back in the day). The reference has served me well over the years in the field as these cute Herons look like their bills were dipped in ink. Note, that characteristic holds for both the adults and the immatures. Especially handy if you cannot see the immature legs and wondering if they are Snowies (link here).

Little Blue Heron found at Galveston Island State Park in January 2022

Just for the record, the yellow lores can also distinguish the Snowies if you cannot see their black legs or yellow galoshes. Today’s specimen made it pretty easy to confirm the Heron vs Egret confusion as it not only revealed its “dipping” bill, but those green legs were proudly displayed…and by proudly I mean “hamming” it up.

Little Blue Heron found at Galveston Island State Park in January 2022

I find Dippers to be a bit stand-offish if not downright elusive. Nor have I really seen them hunting with fellow Little Blues. This may just be my limited experiences haphazardly applied to the species as a whole, but I generally resign to a bit of sneaking up to get good sights on one before they take flight…this specimen was an exception. Not only did this one accept my intrusion, it decided to put on a little show for me. Flapping its wings (see second shot), looking left and right so I could get his best profile, to bringing one leg out of the water at a time allowing good looks at its Grinch stockings. A regular ol’ ham for the paparazzi. Apologies for not be able to bring you the various leg poses, a damn Coot decided to photobombed me (link here).

Little Blue Heron found at Galveston Island State Park in January 2022

Eventually it had enough of the Zoolander fun and headed to a spot further down the bank. As it did, it gave me a final look at another feature that distinguishes the juvis from the Snowies – the dusky brown wing tips compared to the brilliant all white coloring of the yellow footed ones. If you are curious, this specimen comes to you from an overcast day at Galveston Island State Park. For those familiar with that SP, it was hanging out in the waters at the end of the first left – always our first stop when we visit that park (followed by walk on Clapper Rail trail to …well.. take shots of the Clapper Rails hanging out at the first little boardwalk you come to (link here).

Need to get back to the haunt work. Hope you enjoyed a quick look at the “dipping bird” – if only the ABA would come to me first to name birds ha! Take care, apologies for being so far behind on reading those I follow (promise I will get caught up when things settle down) and a final thanks to Brad for a great year.

35 thoughts on “Green Legs and Hamming”

    1. Ha, I get the exact same feeling. I asked Linda if we could take it home and I got a firm “NO”…but it’s sooo cute… “HELL NO!”. I don’t know, I think I see some wiggle room there hehehe. Appreciate you dropping in Jerry.

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    1. Assuming the work that has to be put in doesn’t kill me, this will definitely be the “biggest” trail to date (emphasis on big ha). Can’t wait to post the images and our promo video after the event! Stay tuned and thanks for coming by.

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  4. My Pleasure, thanks for having me. I’m looking forward to another year (or more) basking in the glow from our readers. BTW, nice Little Blue. This one would make telling them and the Snowys apart a bit more difficult with its fluffy head feathers.

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    1. Glad to have you – you now have to work on Terry ha. I am sure there was some doubt on the ID until I got The Beast on point and noticed the ink spot. A dreary day to be taking photos, but that fluffy top just made the shots for me. Looking forward to many more future posts.

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  6. Congratulations on your anniversary, Brad (and Jan and Allyson). Here is to the coming year and the next 31 posts.
    And thanks to both of you for reviewing Little Blue Herons in all their manifestations. I hope all the little ID details will come back to me when I find myself face-to-face with one.

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    1. Thank you Tanja. Jan and Allyson thank you as well. Don’t worry too much about the IDs in the moment, just get the photos on “film” and worry about IDs later.

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  7. Brad, Jan, and Allyson I join everyone else in congratulating you and giving you the biggest round of applause!
    The bird is so beautiful and it’s a pleasure to look at .
    The photos are unique!!! Love them all!

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  8. Many thanks to you both, and Jan and Allyson, too, for the wildlife posts, they are much appreciated. Congratulations to Brad for a year of posting and sharing beautiful photographs. And thanks to you, Brian, for the Little Blue Heron ID info. I especially appreciated that final photo with the dusky wingtips. I’m glad to hear your elbow is healing….

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    2. You are welcome Jet, we always strive to give back to the birding community and sometimes bring new ones into the fold. Had my checkup on the elbow last week and Doc says the wound/bone is now completely healed (yeah), but I do have a ways to go in therapy to get it back to where I want it to be – some tendons are being a little stubborn and not wanting to give me the full range yet, but at least it won’t be falling off during a run ha. Appreciate you dropping in Jet and promise I’ll get caught up on your posts as soon as I get out of the frying pan with the haunted trail work.

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  9. “Say! I like green legs and hamming!
    I do! I like them, Heron-I-amming!”

    We’ve been seeing a lot of first year Little Blue Herons which are transitioning from the all-white Snowy Egret imitators to the slate blue adults. They look like they’re auditioning for 101 Dalmations with their splotchy plumage.

    Kudos to all y’all! Great work.

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