tri color heron

On the neighborhood dock this past Sunday, Aug. 30.

This morning at the dock.

We went to neighborhood dock in evening to watch the moon rise. Right before sunset this green heron showed up to get an evening snack before dark.

Late evening down by the neighborhood dock.

Landed in front of the dock as I was sitting. I remained sitting and shot between tithe cross beams of the dock. Did not want to scare it. It was late afternoon and light was nice.

Chilly enough this morning that this tricolor kept his neck tucked to keep warm.

Yesterday started out lovely, but a cool front was predicted. Got to the dock while it was still nice. Kept an eye out for the dark black clouds forming. Storms and lightening can brew up pretty quickly here in NW Florida. Under gray skies the tricolor's feathers took on a distinctly darker...

This tricolor shows up everyday to hunt along lake edge near neighborhood dock. I get lots of pictures of him/her. It seems to tolerate me as long as I don't make jerky movements or weird noises. I thought this one was kind of funny......Soon the lotus pods will be drooping downward to drop...

aaaah

It spent quite a bit on time on lake edge hunting for fish.

Took several shots of this tri color heron. Did not notice the dragonfly until I pulled up on screen. Kind of neat perched on the lotus pod

This tricolor heron would quickly dash around looking for fish. At other times he would be really very still and just stare intently. The morning light was spectacular today

On the hunt for a fish breakfast

The tri color heron was on the hunt.

This tri color heron comes near the dock in my neighborhood almost every morning, so I usually watch him hunt for breakfast. He is so photogenic

This heron shows up by the neighborhood dock daily. I try to arrive early while light is lovely and he is around and feeding.

I just love watching this heron hunt near our neighborhood dock. I spot him almost everyday on my walk. Sometimes he sways his head. Other times he does a funny bouncy walk and briefly spreads his wings. Not sure why these birds do this - maybe to confuse their prey?

This tri color heron feeds daily near our neighborhood dock.

This tri-color heron is quite a stealthy hunter. He will gaze intently at the water and kind of rock his head back and forth almost as if it is in a a trance. It is lightening fast catching a meal. Kind of back lit so did not get best color on his plumage as earlier shot.

This critter feeds by the dock in my neighborhood. The light cloud cover in mid morning made for softer lighting. I did not realize how lovely the plumage was until I pulled image up on my computer.

Tri Color Heron at the rookery in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, NW FL