One of my favorite birds of Arizona is the Green Heron (Butorides virescens). As I've talked about before with other Herons, many 'outsiders' are surprised to find such a strong heron population in the desert southwest. While I don't think there are more herons here than in other areas of the USA, I do think they are easier to find since they are drawn to the relatively few water sources.
The photo at right is of an adult from the Gilbert Water Ranch in Gilbert, AZ. Female and male Green Herons are nearly indistinguishable. They average around 18" length, though often appear much smaller when crouching with their neck coiled.
The picture at right is somewhat atypical of where a Green Heron would normally be seen. They are best spotted on shorelines, often on low overhanging branches, waiting for small fish to swim by (see photo below).
Part of my love of the Green Heron comes form an experience I had at Gilbert Water Ranch in May of 2007. The ponds all had very little or no water, and the Egrets and Herons had to share close quarters. I found a small clearing in some vegetation surrounding the pond, and crouched down and waited.
After a few minutes, a Green Heron took a few steps out of the brush just about 5 feet away from me. It proceeded to go on a fishing bonanza as I watched and attempted to photograph it. I was so close my lens hardly would focus - I had to lean back on my heals to get a few extra inches away.
The photo at right is of an adult from the Gilbert Water Ranch in Gilbert, AZ. Female and male Green Herons are nearly indistinguishable. They average around 18" length, though often appear much smaller when crouching with their neck coiled.
| Green Heron |
| Green Heron on Man-made Lake Edge |
Part of my love of the Green Heron comes form an experience I had at Gilbert Water Ranch in May of 2007. The ponds all had very little or no water, and the Egrets and Herons had to share close quarters. I found a small clearing in some vegetation surrounding the pond, and crouched down and waited.
After a few minutes, a Green Heron took a few steps out of the brush just about 5 feet away from me. It proceeded to go on a fishing bonanza as I watched and attempted to photograph it. I was so close my lens hardly would focus - I had to lean back on my heals to get a few extra inches away.
