Green Heron hunting
Butorides virescens
Green Heron · Green-Wood Cemetery · 17 May 2026
A Green Heron hunting hunched low at the waterline at Green-Wood, which is how most of this bird's fishing is done, rather than in the tall, exposed wading stance of a Great Blue. It is a small heron of ponds and wooded streams across the eastern United States, and it breeds in the city's parks.
Green Herons are one of the few birds confirmed to use bait: individuals have been seen dropping a feather, an insect or a piece of bread onto the water's surface to draw fish within striking range. Small and short-necked by heron standards, and often overlooked for it.
Birds, insects, plants and other wildlife, mostly from Brooklyn, with some from further afield.
Every photograph comes with notes on what it is.
Selected
Favourite shots. Filter by subject, or .
Places
Everything, by where it was taken.
Species
Larger catalogue of photos organized by species of animal or plant.
Catalogue
Every photograph, newest first. Narrow it by period, place or species; the three work together.
Updates
Coming soon. Sign up at the bottom of the page for updates.