Shading from deep violet to dark gray-blue, the Little Blue Heron is truly indigo-blue.
These feather colors just make sense when you put your small heron in front of a saltwater backdrop, as I did here at the causeway.
The Indigo Heron begins the hunt, stepping, stopping, stepping again and keeping an eye out for movement.
Move slowly, blend in, get ready to strike…
…with finger on the shutter button, gotcha. My indigo bird, blogged.
The way in.
I took a walk at the Hawk’s Bluff section of Savannas Preserve the other morning. It was quiet and warm and felt like a secret place to explore.
I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, even birds. I was just looking.
People had recently been there before me, but I met no one on my slow walk.
Grasses looking autumnal were here and there along the sandy path.
I think this is called Golden-aster.
Cool part of the trail, where the Spanish moss is dramatic on the live oaks.
Sunlight shining through the epiphytic Spanish moss.
It’s not really a moss but a member of the bromeliad family.
Cypress at the edge of a clearing.
Carolina wren pops by to check me out.
Red-bellied Woodpecker.
See his long tongue? Good for snagging insects in crevasses.
There are lots of these woodpeckers around here.
View from a little footbridge out over the freshwater pond and wetlands.
A greenish bird with a finch-like beak… a female or immature Painted Bunting!
Winter visitor from somewhere up north.
A lovely day, but still feeling pretty summery. Fall has taken its time to arrive this year.
These wetlands are here because the coastal ridge keeps them from flowing east into the Indian River Lagoon. A great and unique habitat for many animals.
Sky driftwood.
Wildflowers.
Up on the sandy ridge of ancient dunes, views to the west.
Bee mine.
A hawk, above Hawk’s Bluff. Too far to ID.
Golden-aster and a burnt log from recent (and regular) controlled burns.
The sand is so white.
A falcon, maybe a peregrine.
Back near the edge of the park.
I haven’t seen Scrub-Jays here but next time I will watch for them.
Female or immature Painted Bunting this morning at Hawk’s Bluff, Savannas Preserve.
Glossy Ibis yesterday at Green River, northern Martin County, Florida.
Morning walk before the temps climbed again. It’s been hot for this time of year.
Cypress with birds.
Little Blue Heron and big Great Egret.
Looking across one of the big ponds/ little lakes.
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks.
A couple of cattle egrets.
Common Gallinules.
When you want to look at wetland (and its birds) but you don’t want to get wet, Green River is great because of the dikes.
Autumn color, Florida style.
Cypress like wet feet, and knees.
Alligator in the distance.
More flying things I love.
Stuart Air Show this weekend.
Little Blue Heron wading for breakfast.
Amy's Bird Blog 