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.

Calling Green Heron

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?

Definitely a satisfying look

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

Green Heron

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?

Written by Corey
Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.