Dean M. Chriss
Photography
Quiet marsh, Green Heron

Green Heron, Quiet Marsh

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The late afternoon sun shone like a spotlight on this green heron (butorides virescens). These birds are common in North and Central America. They are permanent residents in the extreme Southeast and Southwest United States. Their breeding range encompasses the eastern half of the United States and the western coast all the way to Canada. Green herons are known to use insects and other items as bait. They deposit the bait on the surface of water to lure fish. When a fish takes the bait, the green heron will grab and eat the fish.