It was wonderful to travel to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in nearby Vienna, Virginia with some friends this past weekend. Although I really enjoy going back repeatedly to familiar spots, sometimes it’s nice to move outside of the “box” and see something different, or at least in a different environment.
One of my favorite subjects of our little photo trip was this delightful Green Heron (Butorides virescens) that I spotted at one of the small ponds at the park. Green Herons are a lot lower to the ground than Great Blue Herons and are often difficult to find. I was lucky to see this one from a distance as I was circling the pond and managed to carefully creep close enough to have a low shooting angle and an unobstructed view.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I really like the detail you captured, Mike. Love that stance!
Your stealthy approach paid off, what a stunning photo! Very beautiful and rather fearsome looking bird!
Nice!
Great catch. They are getting hard to find here. [at times]