Saturday, July 14, 2018

The colorful Green Heron plus one!

We hiked at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon a few days ago. We thought it was amazing to see a Green Heron along the river. We haven’t seen one in several months!

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And then we saw another one!

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We still had the one in our view when another one flew in.

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They called and called to each other.

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It was exciting to get to watch the two of them interact.

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Then when we made our turn around to start back to the car, we were looking as hard as we could to hopefully spot them again…

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and we saw this beautiful Black-Crowned Night Heron!

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The foliage is so thick now that it’s hard to see through it to the water.

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So it’s quite a challenge to see anything at all.

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But we had a really great day of hiking and it was only 82 when we finished at 10:30 am. Not bad for Florida in July! And yes, you’ll be happy to know I sprayed repellent on my legs and arms. But the only thing we heard or saw were a few pesky mosquitoes buzzing by. Nothing bit us…thankfully!

Have you had a chance to get outside this week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

38 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello, wonderful sightings of the Green Herons and the Night Heron.
They are both favorites of mine. Wonderful series of photos. Thank so much for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend! PS, thanks for your visit and comment.

Madame Là-bas said...

Those green herons are beautiful! I've never seen one before. I live on an island surrounded by a dyke where we see blue herons.
Great photos!

Arlene G said...

What a beautiful fellow. We have a blue heron at our pond but I have never seen one that color!!

Anonymous said...

oh he is amazing!!!We have only the great Blue heron here and we spent many many years with them right outside our windows, I miss seeing them everyday and would have loved to see this one, what an amazing bird! Thank you so much for showing us this today, I didn't know they even existed, you teach me so much!

Patsy said...

Love It, thanks to you I get to see sooo many critters
that I would never see in my life.

MadSnapper said...

that black crown heron is gorgeous, I have never seen one, have seen a few of the green herons which I always wonder why they are named green when they are not green. they do have a little green on them... so pretty. no outside for me, I hate heat and for July to end of Sept am AC only...

italiafinlandia said...

What beautiful shots!
Nice bird.

Linda Walker said...

Isn't he gorgeous!!! I've been birdwatching a lot this summer and enjoying every minute of it!!! I've always had a fascination with birds....you are fortunate to see so many varieties as often as you do! Have a lovely weekend!
Linda

Linda @ A La Carte said...

What gorgeous birds. I love how you get some great photos!!

Silver in AZ said...

absolutely great photos, and I'm glad the weather and bugs cooperated! :)

Jeanie said...

what a wonderful experience with the herons. I would have watched and watched! I've only seen one green heron in my life. Lucky you to see two at once!

Gayle said...

The black crown heron is a first for me. Even a glimpse tells its beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Terri D said...

Fantastic photos! Interesting birds.

Out on the prairie said...

The herons may be nesting close. Green Herons will dangle a bug in the water to attract a fish.

Bill said...

Beautiful photos! I have never seen a green heron, only blue ones here.

Carla from The River said...

Hi,
Your photos are amazing!! Thank you for taking us along.

Ann Thompson said...

What pretty birds those are. The only thing I got outside for was to mow the lawn

happyone said...

Wonderful photos. I see a green heron over at the town pond once in a great while.

FAB said...

Super shots of both Herons.

Tom said...

...what a fabulous collection, I've only seen a green heron once and that was years ago. Enjoy your week.

Lea said...

Wonderful! Beautiful!
I see Green Herons maybe once a year as they migrate. I think I saw a Black-crowned Night Heron recently on the Tennessee River, but I was not close enough to get a clear photo. Your photos are great!

Red Rose Alley said...

I often wonder why they are called the blue and green Heron cause they aren't really that color at all. But this little black crowned night Heron is a cutie. You got some fantastic close ups of the Heron, Diane. He's got such a funny long beak hehehe. He looks sweet in the last picture.

~Sheri

Linda said...

Excellent shots! The herons are wonderful.

BeachGypsy said...

Those are great pictures ESPECIALLY THE LAST TWO----wow those are so close and clear! Glad y'all enjoyed your hike and those nasty VARMITS left you alone and didn't bite at you. Looks like you got out before the worst of the heat hit. Hope you're having a great weekend and if you're out and about---making pictures for us!!

Phil Slade said...

Real nice pictures Diane. We occasionally get Night Herons but never Green Herons so it's great to see those close-ups. By the way, Turtle Dove occurs only in Europe, your doves are different to Turtle Dove. Reckon your is Mourning Dove?

Irma said...

Nice pictures of the different herons.
I have never seen either species.
I wish you a great Sunday.
Best regards, Irma

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Beautiful adult plumage of the Green Heron. Right now we have mostly immature birds in our neighborhood. Seeing a Black-crowned Night-Heron is a special treat, as they are so reclusive.

Anni said...

Great portraits of the two herons! Wow.

Also, I thank you for joining us birding enthusiasts at I'd Rather B Birdin' this week!

Betty J. Crow said...

Lucky you seeing two green herons interacting. Love the Night heron, too.

Hootin Anni said...

Ps...thanks for stopping by to view my other King's Ranch photos!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Nothing better than finding the beauty of beating hearts among the mangroves.

Inger said...

Wonderful pictures, what a treat. Can only go outside early in the morning now. This year, I have realized that I can't handle the heat any more. So I try to stay out of it as much as possible.

carol l mckenna said...

Such creative shots of our feathered friends! Awesome!

Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Nancy Chan said...

You had a great sighting of both types of birds. They are beautiful and you took great pictures of them!

Jenn Jilks said...

Really well done! It was so much easier in May, when we didn't have leaves, but then we didn't have such birds, either!

Debbie said...

these captures are AMAZING!!! i understand so well about leaves and foliage...they are beautiful but they do get in the way!! i have been outdoors, but it is hot here in new jersey, my outdoor time has been spent swimming in the pool!!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

your birds make me homesick for Florida!! Beautiful.

NatureFootstep said...

lovely shots of teh green heron :) Thanks for sharing!