Green Heron at Five Rivers

By Corey • July 2, 2007 • 6 comments

A Green Heron at Five Rivers in Delmar, NY, was my trigger bird, so I was pleased the last time I was there to see one land on a nearby branch.

I had never managed to get so close to a Green Heron in decent light before. I was actually at Five Rivers looking for butterflies, but who am I to turn down a brief photo session with the species that triggered all this birding?

I watched and photographed for about two minutes until the heron flew across the pond for some hunting.

Green Herons breed every year at Five Rivers but they are usually not so confiding. Normally I watch them hunting frogs, small fish, and other aquatic life from a distance or hear their raucous squawks as I unknowingly flush them, so seeing one so close, in that certain slant of light, was wonderful. Maybe next time a Great Blue Heron will be so kind?

• Tags: Birds, five rivers, herons and egrets

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About the Author

Corey

Corey is a lifelong upstate New Yorker who recently took the plunge and moved to the city. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list and broke the magical 300 barrier in New York State in 2007 by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative. He lives near Forest Park in Queens with Daisy and their two indoor cats, Hunter and B.B.

6 Responses to “Green Heron at Five Rivers”

Mary Carlson Jul 3rd, 2007 at 9:34 am

Hi Corey — great photos. I’d say that was a very accommodating bird. I haven’t seen any green herons yet, but do hope to see a few before summer ends.
Patrick Jul 3rd, 2007 at 12:24 pm

Funny coincidence… I added this bird to my yard list yesterday. One flew over the retention pond behind the condos.
Corey Jul 4th, 2007 at 5:34 pm

@Mary: Thanks!
@Patrick: Green Heron as a yard bird? That’s not fair!
Jane Jul 30th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

Hi, My sister and I got a close-up view of a green heron while tubing on the Apple River in Somerset, WI on 7/27/08. What a nice surprise! Jane
Maureen Aug 31st, 2008 at 6:50 pm

Sited green heron at Rt 66 State Park in Missouri just a few weeks ago, August 2008.
Russell Oct 3rd, 2008 at 12:56 pm

Spotted a green heron in Lincolnshire, IL (N.W. Chicago Suburb) at a retention pond near work. I was on awalking path when it swooped down about fifteen feet away from me out in the open, paced up and down the shore of the pond a bit then lunged forward and emerged with a small frog! I saw a blue heron catch and eat a fish at almost exactly the same spot from the same distance earlier this summer.