Spring is filled with so many wonderful sights and sounds as a multitude of colorful songbirds return and fill our landscape with life. However, there are many other bird families returning to us as well. This Green Heron (Butorides virescens) was an unexpected and gratifying capture a couple of weekends ago while I was targeting warblers. It really provided a wonderful pose and superb bokeh for me for a few seconds during our chance encounter.
Green Herons are special in that they are one of a handful of bird species in the world that use tools as they can fish using lures and bait. They will throw food into the water and then catch fish that come up to feed on it, or even try to attract them with objects like small sticks! They are a beautiful bird with a beautiful brain, too.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
