Just about any piece of property that has a puddle of water or more in my part of the world, it seems, is habitat for great blue herons. I’ve seen them fly over our house after they’ve taken off from the golf course retention pond that’s about a 3-wood away from our property line.
Today, though, I write in admiration of the green heron, the great blue’s less conspicuous cousin. My “best odds” spot for spotting a green heron is the Dyson Tract along the Delaware and Raritan canal just a few miles from home.
I dropped by there late Tuesday morning and caught site of two of them on the swamp side of the tract that is again covered with plenty of water. The swamp had been nearly dry for several months, and I’m pleased to see it wet again.
Green herons emit a raucous honk of a call that’s similar to that of the great blue heron, although the birds I saw Tuesday kept quiet. One of them was relatively close to the trail that bisects the tract, and I had a good view of its beautiful plumage. I was able to catch the heron with its beak open, something I always like to capture because it makes the photo more lifelike.
Green herons hang out in Mercer County roughly from April into October. I hope to see a few more before they fly off toward the equator. 🦅
What a wonderful opportunity to see one of my favorite birds. Nice photo.
Thanks!