Dancing And Prancing In The Marsh
Yesterday morning we were tremendously entertained by this tricolored heron that was performing a routine in the marsh pond. He was sticking his wings up and running all around presumably hunting for food but I never saw him actually catch anything, he seemed to be more interested in putting on a display for everyone. Naturally our friend Mr. Alligator was in the audience and enjoying the show, although he appeared less then impressed. It takes quite a lot to impress an alligator so I’m sure the tricolored was not disappointed in the lack of reaction. Often, no reaction from an alligator is a good thing anyway from the perspective of the small waders!
Finally the little tri settled down and wandered off along the edge of the pond to continue his hunt for breakfast with a much calmer approach.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Hello Phil,
your dancer is really a professionale, love it!!!
Wish you a nice day,
moni
Hey moni I think you are right, he is a real professional!
So glad you like these thanks!
Maybe he want to flirt with Mr. A.?
Ah ha! I think that is it!! 😀
Strange behaviour brilliant captured as always Phil!
These guys can act a bit odd at times, maybe it’s the heat? 🙂
Thanks Adrian!
Some critters are just natural-born show-offs! Beautiful series!
This guy was putting on a heck of a show for sure. There were a couple other tris in the area at the time and they were not behaving like this at all. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed these!
What an awesome creature! I’d love to see one someday!
When they start behaving like this they are really fun to watch and photograph. Most often they just kind of slowly wade about in shallow water looking for tiny fish.
Thanks for checking out these pics!
It was my pleasure…They were beautiful as always 🙂
🙂
Loved this…and the last picture had this song going through my head…(not just because the order made it look like the gator had something to do with the bird’s change of direction).
Ah, good one!
Thanks for checking this out and happy you liked the series!
Fantastic serie!
Great photowork!
Thanks Hans, I’m glad you liked these heron photos!
Great shots of this tricolored heron Phil.
I really appreciate you looking and commenting Jan, thanks.
What awesome poses you’ve captured Phil. Beautiful.
This little guy did all the work I was just happy to be there to see it. Thanks Emily.
Stunning, really stunning pics.
I appreciate that very much, thanks.
What a show! Another amazing capture. Thanks, Phil!
Thank you very much Amy! The little guy did put on a nice show and it was truly fun to watch and photograph!
Maybe he was impressed with himself and his reflection? I like your captures of the dance.
One thing about the wildlife, they always seem to be totally delighted to be exactly what they are. Almost opposite of many humans.
Glad you enjoyed these!
Oh, what a show he put on for you… did he have music?
Music!! What a great idea! I should have switched over to video and added a sound track.
What song would work well do you think?
thinking….
Very nice. Amusing antics. Who knew the bird could contort itself like that?!
This was a bit unusual for the little tri to be bouncing around all over like this, it’s behavior more commonly seen in the reddish egret.
See examples toward the end of my reddish gallery here:
https://phillanoue.com/reddish-egret-photos/
I’m happy you enjoyed these photos Deb!
Nice series, Phil. I hope he got a round of applause.
Thanks very much Andrew and yes he got a big hand from us! 🙂
He seems to be looking down all the time – do you think he was watching his reflection in that lovely clear water, Phil? He might be something of a narcissist!
Normally I would assume he was looking for his usual small fish but this guy did seem more interested in putting on a display then in catching food. Maybe he really did like how he looked this morning. 🙂
Well, he impressed me, and so did you, Phil 😀
The little tri did all the work Paula, I was just happy to be there to witness the action and have a chance to photograph it. So glad you liked these!
I would love to have a bird posing for me and even more if he would put such a show :D. You always make me smile with your anegdotes from marsh 🙂
Very nice choreography, Mr. Heron. I do see the ever-lurking, though calm in this photo, alligator……
It was well done choreography wasn’t it?! Yes indeed, very few things take place in the marsh without our resident reptiles knowing about it. 🙂 They like to stay on top of current events.
I little more entertaining than your average Tri-colored I think. Nice collection of behavioral images, Phil.
He was quite entertaining indeed Steve. Normally they are slow quiet stalkers, a keep the dancing down to a minimum. The reddish egrets on the other hand…
Terrific, as ever!
Thanks for checking these out and glad you like them!
That’s quite a display he put on for his audition. I wonder how one would know if an alligator was applauding or not? Love this series, Phil. 🙂
Yeah that’s the thing with those alligators Sylvia, they always act like they are so unimpressed by everything so it’s tough to know when a performance has really hit a high note with them. You probably would not want to play piano for them as they can often appear unappreciative. Doesn’t mean they don’t like it, that just their stoic nature. 🙂
Beautiful bird but my Dad’s gone off Herons since they raided his koi pond
Yeah well I can understand that, they have been known to dine out of residential fish ponds often to the consternation of the owners. Not so much these little guys maybe, but the great blue herons…oh yes, guilty!
Wonderful shots! I imagine the only thing that would interest the alligator would be food.
Glad you like these, yes food is on his mind for sure!