A medium-sized, slender heron of the southeastern United States, the Tricolored Heron was formerly known as the Louisiana Heron. @Cornell Labs

The Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) formerly known in North America as the Louisiana Heron, is a small heron. It is a resident breeder from the Gulf states of the USA and northern Mexico south through Central America and the Caribbean to central Brazil and Peru. There is some post-breeding dispersal to well north of the nesting range. Tricolored Heron's breeding habitat is sub-tropical swamps. It nests in colonies, often with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. In each clutch, 3–7 eggs are typically laid. Wikipedia®

The Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) is considered one of the most active herons, and is often seen on the move. It stalks its prey visually in shallow water far more actively than other herons and egrets, frequently running energetically and using the shadow of its wings to reduce glare on the water once it is in position to spear a fish; the result is a fascinating dance. Due to its bold, rapacious yet graceful feeding behavior, author Pete Dunne nicknamed the Reddish Egret "the Tyrannosaurus Rex of the Flats".[7] It eats fish, frogs, crustaceans, and insects. The bird's usual cry is a low, guttural croak.

They may move slowly, but Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) can strike like lightning to grab a fish or snap up a gopher. In flight, look for this widespread heron’s tucked-in neck and long legs trailing out behind. Though great blue herons hunt alone, they typically nest in colonies. They prefer tall trees, but sometimes nest in low shrubs. Females produce two to seven eggs, which both parents protect and incubate. Chicks can survive on their own by about two months of age.

The Great Blue Heron is replaced in the Old World by the very similar Grey Heron, which differs in being somewhat smaller (90–98 cm), with a pale gray neck and legs, lacking the browner colors that Great Blue Heron has there. It forms a superspecies with this and also with the Cocoi Heron from South America, which differs in having more extensive black on the head, and a white breast and neck.

This is one of the smallest herons in the world, with perhaps only the Dwarf Bittern and the Black-backed Bittern averaging smaller in length. This Least Bittern is often an elusive bird. They spend much time straddling reeds. When alarmed, the Least Bittern freezes in place with its bill pointing up, turns its front and both eyes toward the source of alarm, and sometimes sways to resemble wind-blown marsh vegetation. The bolder Heron to the right is a typical Green Heron, still secretive though.

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North and Central America as well as the Caribbean and the Galápagos Islands. Whether poised at a river bend or cruising the coastline with slow, deep wingbeats, the Great Blue Heron is a majestic sight. This stately heron with its subtle blue-gray plumage often stands motionless as it scans for prey or wades belly deep with long, deliberate steps.

Great Blue Heron on Anhinga Trail in the Everglades during the late afternoon in December 2009. I just found this image buried in the wrong folder. I like it. I'm using the Nikon 300 f/2.8 with 1.7 Nikon teleconverter

Tricolored Heron Fledglings resting in a tree after running around chasing each other games. The tree is not far from the pond in the back of Gatorland Zoo where there are many tourists taking in a cheap day from Walt Disney and Seaworld. The ponds behind Gatorland has one of the best wading bird rookeries in existence visited by birders from around the world. Many wonder why wading birds would build their nests above ponds infested with hundreds of Alligators just waiting for a baby to fall. The reason is the gators keep many other predators away like raccoon, snakes and Opossum who can climb into the nests while the Gators only get what falls.

Tricolored Heron Fledglings running up and down the railings at Gatorland where the tourists usually stand. There were 8 or 9 of them all seemingly playing the same game. When two or more groups came together, there would be squawking and banter until they made it passed each other. Quite a humorous time and one of the reasons these wading birds are some of my favorites.

Great Blue Heron hanging around the ponds behind Gatorland, an attraction near Orlando, Florida and Walt Disney World. The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North and Central America.

Tricolored Heron in the heavier undergrowth posing in the late afternoon behind Gatorland. The Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) formerly known in North America as the Louisiana Heron, is a small heron. Tricolored Heron's breeding habitat is sub-tropical swamps. It nests in colonies, often with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. In each clutch, 3–7 eggs are typically laid.

Cattle Egret in Flight over Gatorland (Bubulcus ibis). A member of the heron family instead of egret.

The Great Egret (Ardea alba), also known as Great White Egret, Common Egret, or Great White Heron seen flying over Gatorland ponds. . The Great Egret, unlike the typical egrets, does not belong to the genus Egretta but together with the great herons is today placed in Ardea.

Tricolored Heron Fledgling posing for a portrait behind the Gatorland ponds

Fledgling Tricolor Heron seems to be stuck on a branch, a little too scared to try flying again, and not really trusting that branch with all those alligators awaiting underneath. He's probably witnessed some of his brethren providing a supper for a hungry Alligator.

Tricolor Heron flying over Gatorland ponds.

Even this late in the year, the rookery is still going strong. We're seeing a lot of late arriving Tricolors and the Great Blue Heron's are just nesting. The Cattle Egret Fledglings are in huge supply and making a racket.

Heron in Flight fishing

Little Blue Heron flying low for dinner for the chicks