Great Egret, #11/50

The first two images, taken @ Wellington Environmental Preserve, the Great Egret was trying to find balance. It was an overcast and gray day, and for the few seconds that the Egret was tip toeing on that branch, the sun came out. The close up image with breeding colors,  was take at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, the bottom two nests were taken at Alligator Farm rookery.

Little Blue Heron # 10/50

These images were taken @ Bunche Beach, Ft. Meyers FL. At one   short point in time, there were several different types of birds in this area, a Reddish Egret, a Tricolored Heron, and White Ibis. I was trying diligently to focus only on the Little Blue 

:-), and I will admit I was continually distracted by the Reddish Egret, who was stealing the show.

Interesting facts:

The adult is easily identified by its dark gray coloration, but the white immatures are possible to mistake for a number of other species, including the white morph of an immature reddish egret.  It is important to study medium-sized white herons very carefully, as they could be mistaken for a Snowy or even a Cattle Egret. Young Little Blue Herons have no head plumes and the legs are overall greenish.  

Cattle Egret, #9/50

The top image was taken @ the Rookery at Alligator Farm, of a baby Cattle Egret in his nest, and the other three images were taken @ Shark Valley, Everglades National Park. I love the cattle egret and his orange-buff color plumages.

Interesting facts:  In breeding season, it has a yellow bill, with orange-buff on the neck, chest and back, but as a non-breeder it is pure white, except the yellow bill and dark legs.  Its population is exploding and has overwhelmed those of native species.

American Bittern, #8/50

I found this American Bittern @ Shark Valley. This was the first and only time I have seen this heron, but I continue to stay on the look out.  This "frozen in place with its bill pointing skyward" is a common pose.

Interesting facts:
It is a solitary, ground dwelling species that only very rarely perches in trees, and is most frequently seen flying over marshes on rather pointed wings. A common winter visitor to freshwater marshes. The everglades comprises its center of abundance.

Green Heron #7/50

I find it ironic that in these four Green Heron images I chose - he is posing for me facing right, so I guess that is his "good side" LOL

Interesting facts:

The Green Heron is small, has a short  neck and yellow to orange legs which are distinctive and effectly camouflage this species. Usually solitary and skulking, it can be found in fresh or salt water. When flushed, it flies abruptly, emitting a loud squawking call.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron #6/50 Checklist

While enjoying the variety of shore birds one early morning at Bunche Beach in Ft. Meyers, I spotted this way way (way) across the water, and he shortly disappeared into the thicket.

Interesting facts:

 He is a medium-sized heron, and a rather chunky gray bird. Solitary and nocturnal, it prefers saltwater areas. Common throughout Florida.

Tricolored Heron #5/50

These images of a Tricolored heron were taken at Green Cay Wetlands, Delray Beach.  In the 2nd small image we can see his breeding colors in the bill (blue). In the bottom image, he had just shook off his wet feathers and was in the process of putting himself back together when I caught this (when a little bird jumped in my frame). The top small image is a "teenager" tricolored heron, image taken at Alligator Farm, St. Augustine FL.

Interesting facts:
During breeding season the Tri-color gets even more colorful. The base of its bill turns bright blue, and it develops a white pony tail plume on the back of its head. Soft tan plumes grow from its back. Its legs turn bright red.