Heron in Fflorida (1 Viewer)

snowyowl

Well-known member

• Feb 13, 2020

• #1

I didn't take these pictures. They were posted on Facebook asking me to id. the bird. I don't have lot of details but am 90% sure that they were taken in Florida recently. My first thought was Great Blue Heron with a bad exposure or trick of the light but looking at it Gray Heron definitely comes to my mind. I'm trying to get more details.

 

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snowyowl

Well-known member

• Feb 13, 2020

• #2

More detail

More information. This was seen at the junction of Salt Springs Run and Lake George. That would still be in Marion Co' and in the Ocala National Forest.

 

Microtus

Maryland USA (he/him)

• Feb 13, 2020

• #3

The one picture I see shows an adult Great Blue Heron, photographically overexposed.

 

snowyowl

Well-known member

• Feb 13, 2020

• #4

Microtus said:

The one picture I see shows an adult Great Blue Heron, photographically overexposed.

Click to expand...

Similar to my conclusion.

 

G

gratography

Active member

• Feb 13, 2020

• #5

great blue heron....
in Florida, filled with herons, I was happiest with getting to see and photography the Red Heron

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Feb 13, 2020

• #6

Yup, I agree. Great Blue Heron!

 

howiewu

Well-known member

• Feb 13, 2020

• #7

gratography said:

great blue heron....
in Florida, filled with herons, I was happiest with getting to see and photography the Red Heron

Click to expand...

What's a Red Heron? Do you mean the Reddish Egret?

 

nartreb

Speak softly and carry a long lens

• Feb 14, 2020

• #8

The two species are quite similar. Some differences are described here: https://frank.itlab.us/TBL/Harvesting/Herons/Birding0202p24-33.pdf

I don't think 100% confidence is possible from this photo. There have been reports of vagrant Grey Heron on the "wrong" side of the Atlantic, though I don't think there have been any in Florida.

But there's nothing in the photo, that I can see, that would make me question the more likely scenario: it's a Great Blue Heron.