August 19, 2008 | 
Author 
"I'm the king of the world!"
I couldn’t help laughing out loud when I saw how this picture turned out. This is a beautiful Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor), doing its best impression of Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie, Titanic!
I was really entertained while watching this heron. I saw him at The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, in the wetlands area. On my way to the boardwalk, I passed a couple who excitedly told me that they had spotted a Tricolored Heron. I didn’t admit that I had not yet seen my first one.
Like all birders, I get excited when I see a “new bird” for the first time. UNlike many birders, I don’t keep lists. I always find something new, or interesting, or just simply gratifying about any birds that I am fortunate enough to observe. This is true for “new birds” as well as species I may see every single day.
The wikipedia entry for the Tricolored Heron helped me to identify the heron I saw as a juvenile. I was surprised to see that the range map at Cornell’s site (link above) does not show the Tricolored Heron in my area. While it is true that this type of heron is most often found in coastal areas, it is not uncommon to find them farther inland, especially since coastal habitats are dwindling due to development. (Birds of Texas, 2007, by Keith A. Arnold and Gregory Kennedy, Lone Pine Publishing)
This young heron went back and forth between hanging out at one of its favorite perches, or running around in the water, plucking out small fish. This was the only Tricolored Heron in the area – mostly because the one other Tricolored Heron that dropped by was quickly run off by this one! This is typical behavior, according to all of my field guides.
I had trouble limiting myself on the number of pictures I used in this post! But I just HAD to share this last one too! I hope you enjoy these as much as I do 
Posted in Birding
Beautiful pictures! I was totally enthralled all the way through the post. I would have been excited, too, and they are already on my list. A few times! Good job!
Thanks! I felt lucky to have such a long time to watch him – so fun.
Gorgeous, Amber! Fantastic bird, and you captured it in all the splendor of living without worry. And a good find in this area. Remind me to take you to the UTSWMC rookery this summer. Tricoloreds nest there, as do white ibises and a host of heron and egret species. Right in the middle of Dallas. And there are thousands of nests in less than five acres. (So much for those record books, right?)
By the way, the red-eared slider at the bottom of the last photo tickles me. I love the foot-out-and-head-up stance! That’s so typical yet always puts a smile on my face.
Also, thank you for letting me know about Heard. I didn’t know about it. Now I do–and now I’ve added it to my list of places to visit.
I’ve heard about the UTSWMC rookery, and have always been confused at the very idea. I would love to visit this place!
That last photo was so precious to me because the heron and the turtle seemed to be having a “moment.” And I liked the symmetry and the white feather floating on the water in the vertical space of the 2D image, all subjects contrasting with the emerald green water.
The Heard is GREAT! One of my very favorite places. And I haven’t been on all of the trials yet…