Green Heron Hunting
by Mitch Spence
Title
Green Heron Hunting
Artist
Mitch Spence
Medium
Photograph
Description
The focus and stillness of this pretty little green heron (Butorides virescens) is extraordinary as it stands in a frozen pose on a branch just above the water, waiting for that flicker of light that indicates a fish darting by. The bird's name comes from "butor," which means bittern in Middle English and the Greek "oides," meaning resembling.
These small herons live in both North and Central America. They are patient in their hunt, waiting to grab a passing fish with their sharp bills. They also are said to actually lure fish by using a piece of bait, such as an insect, or a small twig. What is called green on the back is an iridescent color, which may often look dull gray, slate blue, or simply dark, depending on the light. The bird is solitary and secretive most of the time and lives in brush near water and areas of thick vegetation.
Uploaded
January 30th, 2017
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