I have not seen as many Green Herons (Butorides virescens) this year as in previous years, so I was happy to spot one this past Tuesday during a quick trip to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in nearby Vienna, Virginia.
Green Herons are smaller and squatter than the more commonly seen Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias). Normally I see Green Herons at water’s edge, because their shorter legs do not allow them to wade into deeper water, and they are often partially hidden from view by vegetation. This Green Heron, though, had placed itself at the edge of a drainage system in the middle of a small pond, which is why I was able to get an unobstructed shot of this handsome bird.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Nice Mike! Green Herons are fun to photograph!
I have never heard of a green heron. Interesting how their legs are shorter. I like its coloring. Great shot Mike! 😊
Their rich plumage is just so beautiful. Very nice.
It made me smile when I noticed “Vienna, Virginia”, given that you used to travel to Vienna in Austria. I didn’t know Virginia has it’s very own Vienna!
Great photo, Mike. I love these guys.
Great shot. They are hard to find!
He is handsome–nice capture!