This article features some selected images of Tricolored Heron taken in Cuba with a Nikon 1 V2 and Nikon 1 CX 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 lens. The images were taken in a wetland area situated between the Playa Costa Verde resort and the public beach.
NOTE: click on images to enlarge
The Tricolored Heron (or the Louisiana Heron as it was formerly called) is a medium sized heron that resides along the Gulf states of the USA, northern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and central Brazil and Peru. On the eastern seaboard of the USA its range extends as far north as Virginia.
The species measures about 22 inches long (56 cm) and has a wingspan of just over three feet (1 m). Males are slightly larger than females and weigh about 14.6 ounces (415 g) compared to 11.8 ounces (334 g) for the females. They have dark backs, a long slender neck and bill, and a white belly. A white stripe runs down the throat and neck. Males and females look alike.
The Tricolored Heron eats mainly fish, amphibians, insects and crustaceans. It has a very unique hunting style, crouching very low as it wades and sometimes runs through the water. When prey is spotted its neck darts out very quickly to seize it.
The Tricolored Heron breeds in tropical swamps and nests in colonies with other herons. It builds its nest as a platform of sticks and twigs in trees and shrubs.
These birds do not seem to mind hunting reasonably close to one another, unlike other heron species that tend to be solitary hunters.
Technical Note: All images in this article were captured using a Nikon 1 V2 and Nikon 1 CX 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR lens. Images were produced from RAW files processed through DxO OpticsPro 10. A DNG file was then exported into CS6 and Nik Suite for additional adjustments as required.
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Article and all images are Copyright Thomas Stirr. All rights reserved. No use, copying, or adaptation is allowed without written consent.
Thomas, again another great article and photographs. I have a rather unusual question regarding your trip to Cuba. I’m sure you didn’t go alone and as you wrote in a previous article you spent most of the day stalking birds near the hotel to make these photographs. My question; what does your wife do while you are out shooting?
Hi Mike,
She enjoys lounging by the beach or pool and reading a book or two when we are away. She did that most of the trip and we’d have all of our meals together as well as the evenings. She also came out with me a few times during the trip to do some bird watching while I took some images. After 40 years together we’ve learned to give each other some space… 🙂
Tom