Working The Marsh
Last week I was watching this green heron as it was stalking in and around the dried reeds in the salt marsh. Once it spotted a fish, the little greenie would step out into the water and grab it. These colorful and clever birds are always a treat to watch as they become quite focused on the task at hand and often pay no attention at all to me. But that’s how I like it!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
What a pretty bird and excellent shots.
LG Mathilda
Thank you Mathilda and yes he is a pretty bird!
Lovely colours of a beautiful bird .. I have no favourite of these three photos … Each and everyone of them are just great ! // Maria
Thanks very much Maria, glad you liked the greenie!
Wonderful shots Phil.
Thanks very much Jan.
Beautiful bird. Great shots
Thank you, yes it is a cool little bird!
Great shots, Phil! I rarely see green herons but we do have them here in Oklahoma. What a beautiful specimen!
Thanks so much! Yes he is quite the handsome chap!
Your photos are always amazing!
Thanks Karen I appreciate it!
Amazing color, clarity and detail. Great photos
So glad you like these, thanks!
Superb shots, Phil. How close were you? We can’t get anywhere close to our herons. Much too skittish without a hide (blind) for cover.
He was right in front of me maybe 15 feet away and I was glad he did not care I was there.
Thanks for looking Andrew!
They always look more determined when they are on the hunt. Love your photos.
They do look very determined. Thanks glad you enjoyed these pics!
Excellent shots , Phil !
Beautiful birds ! Sharp focus !
utham
Thanks so much utham I appreciate it!
He really does have a great green hue in that light!! Wonderful!
Yes he does look rather green doesn’t he?! Thanks Judy!
I have never seen a green heron. This was very interesting.
I’m glad I was able to display something new for you Charlie! 🙂
Wonderful shpts, Phil. So many different herons you have there. This one is very striking.
He is a real looker! Thanks Sylvia!
Never seen this bird before… Beautiful photos!
Thanks very much for looking and commenting and glad you liked the pics!
Beautiful bird. The clarity is amazing! Have a great weekend, Phil!
Thank you very much Amy and I hope you enjoy your weekend!
Gorgeous shots of one of my favorite guys! Love the colors….
They are fun and colorful! Speaking of that…I photographed male painted buntings today.
AH, nice! I love them…. The males are so brilliant!
They are like flying rainbows! I sent a couple pics to the Carolina Bird Club site.
http://www.carolinabirdclub.org/gallery/Lanoue/pabu.html
WOW!! That last one is just brilliant! I see he’s tagged, too… interesting!
I NEVER get this close to our buntings (but I don’t have quite the lens you do, either). They’re so flighty and shy!
Oh wow I’m glad you checked those out and liked them!
Yes there is a banding program in place since the PB is a bird of serious concern in our area due primarily to loss of habitat from clear cutting woodlands for development. Each bird caught gets four bands, two on each leg and the colors and placement indicate different things such as state, year, etc. Last summer we went over to one area where the birds were being banded, it was very interesting. They put out a feeder that attracts the birds and it has a cage like net around it that the birds can enter but can’t get out. Once the bird is banded and weighed it is immediately released. You may think that the process would be somewhat traumatic for the bird but the same male went into the trap four times in one day and had to be released. It was almost as if it liked the attention. 🙂
WOW…. Oh no, I think that’s a wonderful plan, in light of the habitat loss that the area’s facing! Anything to help the critters. It’s fascinating that they seem to appreciate the attention, hahah!
Loved them all but the second one in particular! Such gorgeous colours!
That second one was my favorite Maggie! Thanks so much!
A beautiful bird Phil captured beautifully.
Thank you Adrian I’m very happy you enjoyed these photos!
Excellent shots, Phil!
Thanks much Gareth!
Nice. I get distracted when I’m eating too.
Thanks, this guy managed to stay fairly focused, sort of how I will be later this evening with my steak off the grill. 🙂
What wonderful images! I’ve never seen one of these birds in “real life”, so it’s a super treat to get to see such great photos of them, and so close up. Thanks!
Well I’m very happy you enjoyed these Laurie, thanks!
stunning shots stunning bird
Thanks Scott, the little greenies are cool guys!
Amazing photos and clarity!
The greenies sure are fun little guys to photograph! Thanks for looking!
You look like you were so close to him. What did you do? Hide in some marsh grass? Such intent in his eye. I wouldn’t want to be a fish.
I was just standing there in the open at the edge of the salt marsh. The bird totally ignored me which always works out best for pics! These little greenies are very good at what they do.