Tricolored Heron in breeding plumage with prey Tricolored Heron in breeding plumage with prey – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/750, ISO 250, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light, not baited

Just a simple image of a Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) in breeding plumage with a small fish in its bill. The heron provided its own bait naturally by capturing it in the Gulf of Mexico.

While in breeding plumage Tricolored Herons have redder legs, darker red eyes, blue lores and blue on the bill plus a longer, white occipital plume than they do during the nonbreeding season. I’ve added no saturation to this image, these are the natural colors.

Image taken in 2009 at Fort De Soto’s north beach.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Tricolored Heron photos plus facts and information about this species.