Just moments before he flew off, I spotted this flashy Tri-colored Heron (sometimes still called the Louisiana Heron), in the pond this morning. Notice his slender, spear-like bill – compared to his head size, it is proportionately the longest bill of all the herons (The New Stokes Field Guide to Birds, Eastern Region, 2013). 
The Heron engaged in what David Sibley calls ‘peering over’ behavior, pointing his bill downward and spreading his wing over the shallow water. This behavior probably helps the bird maintain balance, and also creates a shadow and reduces glare, making small fish and other small aquatic creatures more visible. (The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior, 2013)
He had the pond to himself, and alternated between fishing and preening, as he got ready to start his day.
Widespread year-round in Florida, the Tri-colored Heron can be found “down through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, to northern Brazil [as well as] on the Pacific Coast from Baja California down to Ecuador.” (Florida FWC)
Awesome photos 🙂
Cheers Diana | https://footloosegirl.wordpress.com/
Thank you so much, Diana! Congratulations on your new blog. I look forward to seeing more of your bird posts.
love this!
Thanks so much, TZ – and I loved seeing him, in all his fluffed up beauty!
Absolutely crystal photos. So beautiful to give over such interesting tidbits on one of the most common birds in all of Florida.
Thanks, Berny – Yes, there are always new and interesting things to learn, no matter how often we see these special creatures.
Wow, awesome captures! 🙂
Thanks for visiting, Amy – I’m glad you enjoyed them!
Excellent shots Carol! 🙂
Thanks so much!
Gorgeous photos of an awesome bird.
The Tri-colored herons really are fun to watch. They’re so common and abundant but each one has such personality.
What a beauty. Wonderful photos!
This one does look quite handsome, doesn’t he? That plumage is so impressive.
Beautiful photos!!! 🙂
I so appreciate your visit and your kind words, Linda!
What a beauty!
This heron really was quite a beauty – I love the colors and the richness of the plumage.
Great captures, Carol!
Thank you, Tiny! I hope all is well with you and that you are enjoying a beautiful weekend☀️🌴!
Very wonderful images of the heron. Lucky bird to have the pond to itself.
Yes, he seemed to be making the most of it before taking off.
You are lucky to have the beautiful tri-colored heron around, I think they are so lovely. And fun to have these moments with this individual, BJ, thank you.
They really are such characters to watch, and sometimes I think they like the passersby as much as we like them 🙂
great images and a great post
Thanks so much! Such a treat to watch the Tricolored Herons!