Just walking, I happened to veer to the small lake nearby and discovered a green heron intently gazing at the water’s surface. The heron perched on a concrete culvert in the bright sun on the edge of the lake, blue sky above, green water below. Rocking slightly in the breeze on bent, sturdy legs and anchored by long toes, waiting …waiting for a ripple in the water, a movement that might mean dinner.
I think of these smallish herons as shy birds, easily bothered and not tolerant of prolonged observation. I quickly took a photo or two, and tried to spend the remaining precious moments in deep observation. Ki flew off within minutes, not sure of my intentions. I made a few drawings afterwards, and starting learning more about green herons.
This green heron was not exactly green, but had green glints and highlights along darker back body feathers. A beautiful russet-colored neck patch, body structure, yellow legs and eyes add to the distinctive markings. A year-round resident of Florida, populations swell at times with migrating kin from the north.
I read that breeding season in Florida starts in March and runs through July, so perhaps this heron was out hunting for food for the family. One of our smaller herons, about the size of a large crow, they like to inhabit the edges of wetlands, with food on one side and cover on the other. With a stocky build and a long thick neck settled on shoulders, they can look ungainly on land.
A fascinating item – green herons sometimes use tools to catch food, one of a few species that do this. They drop twigs, insects or other tidbits onto the water surface to entice fish to surface and feed within their reach. Debate may continue over definitions of tools and tool use, but many agree that this type of behavior indicates an increased intelligence.
Things to think about.
Want to read more about green herons?
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_heron
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission fact sheet:
ebird.org: https://ebird.org/species/grnher
Media
Aquabee sketchbook, 6x9”
.7 mm mechanical pencil
Micron Pigma Pen, black 01
Kimberly watercolor pencils
Niji waterbrush, Medium
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