Over the years watching birds has become a meditation. Something that draws us out of ourselves into the embrace of a larger sacred world and a heightened awareness of the importance of, and kinship with, all life.

A canoe is a useful tool for birding in Florida.

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Two birds that have enchanted us, ever since we started our yearly winter pilgrimage from central Ohio to Florida, are the Tricolored and Little Blue Heron. These similarly sized birds are considerably smaller than their larger cousin the more majestic Great Blue Heron. The Tricolored, with it’s running, hopping, and crouching behavior, is the more active and comical of the two and it can be found foraging anywhere the water depth permits. Generally the Little Blue, with it’s slower movements, is a quiet stalker as it works it’s way along shoreline grasses and overhanging branches looking above and below the water’s surface for edible items.

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Tricolored Heron:

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Little Blue Heron:

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Immature Little Blue Heron with a Tricolored.

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Not long after this picture was taken, high in a tree near waters edge, an anole became a midmorning snack.

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The Tricolored and Little Blue Heron can be found throughout Florida and fortunately for bird lovers are not hard to find. During our recent travels in that state we were blessed with numerous opportunities to observe and enjoy these birds.

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Thanks for stopping by.