Green Heron from Anhinag Trail ENP

Grady Weed · Mar 1, 2009

Green Heron, Anhinga ENP. Reposted!

Canon EOS-1D Mark II N, Shooting Date/Time: 2/13/2009 07:49:29, Shutter Speed 1/1250Sec. Av(Aperture Value) F8.0, Evaluative metering, Exposure Compensation -1/3, ISO 400, Lens: EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM. On the Gitzo Tripod with the Wimberley 2 Head. Cropped for a 8x10 @ 85% of frame left over here.

Early morning at Anhinga Trail in the SE portion of the Everglades National Park. This was taken at the loop section at the very end of Anhinga Trail just past the Anhinga baby nest and to the right of it. And right on the edge of the boardwalk. This bird was 1 0f 8, at least, we saw just in this area alone. Most would fly in with a catch and land in the extremely thick brush and eat, then peek out at you, Some would preen, as this one did, for a good hour. It was rather close and I kept the 300 2.8 mounted on the MK2n, which meant I had to stay at least 8 feet away. I wanted fast frame rate because this bird did not stay still, hence the MK2n with a 8.5 frame rate. It constantly moved about on the limb it perched on. My only other option was 5D with the 100-400, and both focus rather slow given the conditions I was in. We had tons of low sun, but it was rather harsh even for the early hour we were there.

We had a blast with this guy. It is another somewhat rare bird, and then to get it out in the open, well that is something to write home about as well. the Everglades is a unique, beautiful, constantly changing eco system. And a very complex one at that. It is another world when you are there. Peaceful and inviting is too weak of a description. It is a work of art by the creator.

[SIZE=+0]Here are some interesting facts: A solitary and secretive bird, the Green Heron is stocky, dark colored, and small for a heron. The adult Green Heron has a dark rufous neck, gray belly, and dark, iridescent, greenish-blue back. The upper mandible of the bill is dark, and the legs are bright orange. The juvenile has a brown-and-white streaked neck, slight crest on its dark head, and prominently light-tipped wing coverts. Yellow spectacle-shaped markings surround the eye and extend to the bridge of the bill. These markings are present, but less pronounced, in the adult.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+0]Habitat: Green Herons inhabit small, freshwater wetlands, ponds, and stream-sides with thick vegetation at their margins. In winter, they frequent coastal areas and mangrove swamps.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+0]Behavior: The solitary Green Heron usually forages from a perch, where it stands with its body lowered and stretched out horizontally, ready to thrust its bill at unsuspecting prey. One of the few birds known to use tools, the Green Heron will attract prey with bait (feathers, small sticks, or berries) that it drops into the water. When out in the open, it commonly flicks its tail nervously and raises and lowers its crest. Another characteristic behavior of the Green Heron, which may help with identification, is its tendency to fly away from a disturbance giving a squawk and defecating in a white stream behind itself. (Other small herons defecate forward.) When alarmed, the Green Heron may adopt the classic bittern stance, with head held vertical, looking across the base of its bill. The Green Heron commonly calls in flight--a sharp skeow or kyow sound.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+0]Diet: Fish are the primary food of this opportunistic feeder. Crayfish and other crustaceans are also a source of food, as are aquatic insects, frogs, grasshoppers, snakes, and rodents.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+0]Nesting: Green Herons typically nest in trees near the water. Males stake out territories and call to attract females. Sometimes pairs form in migration, and the pair will select the site together. Unlike most herons, the Green Heron does not typically nest in large colonies. The male starts the nest, bringing long, thin sticks to the female who finishes the nest. Both parents incubate the 3 to 5 eggs for about 19 to 21 days. Once the young hatch, both parents feed them by regurgitating food. Both help brood the young for about three weeks. At about 16 to 17 days, the young climb about near the nest, and they first start to fly at 21 to 23 days. The parents continue to feed the young for a few more weeks until they fledge after about 30 to 35 days[/SIZE]

PS: See revised version at the bottom!

Randy Stout · Mar 1, 2009

Grady:

Nice color and details on this fellow. I love the delicate edging on the wing feathers. Pretty good head angle for a preening bird! I always get them turned back too much. I find the cropping a bit tight.

I enjoy the facts you include with your posts.

Dave Mills · Mar 1, 2009

Interesting preening position but I also find the image cropped to tight and the backround very distracting....

Grady Weed · Mar 1, 2009

For comparision

The cropping is to keep some branches from intersecting with the head and minimizing the background. As for the background as a whole, that's is where these guy's hang out. Here is a inedited RAW to help you to see what your up against to get one of these guy's. I suppose I have some room to maneuver.