How green ? Green with envy ?

Some of you may be familiar with the woodpecker named Red Bellied.
That bird has a little red on it's underside and a lot more red on it's head.
So, several people have asked me, "why isn't it called a redheaded woodpecker ?".
The answer is, that there are several woodpeckers that have red heads.
So to name any one of them a redhead woodpecker would confuse observers,
as to which would be THE redheaded woodpecker.

Well, there's another bird, a rather intelligent one, that's named Green Heron.
Is that because the bird is mostly green ? No.
Is it because the bird exhibits jealous behavior ? No.
It's because it is the only heron, that has some green color on it in the USA.

Why do I describe it as rather intelligent ? Because it's the only heron or egret
that actually uses a tool. One of the main sources of it's diet is small fish.
This bird has been witnessed to find small pieces of bread, or other food items,
as fish bait. It will put the item on the surface of water and wait until fish arrive to
feed on the food source and then grab the fish with it's beak.
Pretty clever for a heron.

While I never feed wildlife, I have gotten to know individuals from a number of species.
Indeed, in New Jersey I have been accepted into different herds of wild whitetail deer.
They have become very familiar with me, while taking pictures of them and grow to sense & learn, that I have no intention of hurting them and now they approach me.

Similarly, while in Florida there is a female green heron that has grown to be very tolerant of my presence and closeness during the past few years. I've named her Gretchen. Her acceptance of me is unusual for a couple of reasons.
First, I am only in Florida for 4 months a year. Does she remember me after 8 months of absence ? Secondly, her mate immediately flees into the woods at first site of me. She doesn't follow him. That's very unusual for a bird.
Well, she's more familiar with me, as I have photographed her for several years.
He's newer in her life.

It has allowed me to get quite close to her. Indeed, sometimes too close for the focal distance for my lens. I am often backing up as she approaches me. I've often wondered if she believes this is because I am afraid of her.
I should point out that a green heron is about the size of a pigeon.
I've seen a similar confused reaction with other birds in the wild,
when they first witness a similar situation.
Perhaps it aids in their acceptance of me, not wanting to harm them.
Regardless, it's allowed me to get some terrific full framed shots of those birds.

Here's seven of Gretchen from this most recent trip to Florida. I hope you enjoy the views. You can improve the views somewhat by clicking on them individually.
They are perfectly clear on my computer. But less so on here.















If you would like to see more of my photography, you can at your leisure.
Just go to my webpage which has 1,000 photos in it;




Next time I will post some recent photos of a Redbellied Woodpecker.
Some are quite unusual, but I'll get into why next time.