This green heron is perched next to the Lake Apopka North Shore Wildlife Drives i n Orange County, Florida, looking for its next meal.

The green heron (butorides virescens) is a denizen of low lying wetlands such as wooded ponds, marshes, rivers, swamps, reservoirs and estuaries. They can be found in the eastern United States, the west coast of the United States, Mexico, Central America, down into northern South America and the Caribbean. The best time to see them is at dusk or dawn.

The green heron usually stands motionless at the waters edge or on low vegetation where it feeds mainly on small fish but also eats insects, crustaceans, rodents, snakes, and other small prey that might come into reach. They usually forage in shallow water no more than four inches deep. They don't wade as often as other herons, but do sometimes dive for deep water prey.

A green heron looks for prey in the canal beside the Lake Apopka North Shore Wildlife Drive in Orange County, Florida.

The green heron (butorides virescens) is a denizen of low lying wetlands such as wooded ponds, marshes, rivers, swamps, reservoirs and estuaries. They can be found in the eastern United States, the west coast of the United States, Mexico, Central America, down into northern South America and the Caribbean. The best time to see them is at dusk or dawn.

The green heron usually stands motionless at the waters edge or on low vegetation where it feeds mainly on small fish but also eats insects, crustaceans, rodents, snakes, and other small prey that might come into reach. They usually forage in shallow water no more than four inches deep. They don't wade as often as other herons, but do sometimes dive for deep water prey.

This American bittern was spotted on the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in Orange County, Florida.

The American Bittern (botaurus lentiginosus), breeds in Canada and the northern United States in the summer, and winters along the coasts of the United States, Mexico, and down into Central America.

Look for them mainly in freshwater marshes with tall less dense vegetation. They like wetlands of many types and sizes including saltwater occasionally.

This American bittern was spotted on the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in Orange County, Florida.

The American Bittern (botaurus lentiginosus), breeds in Canada and the northern United States in the summer, and winters along the coasts of the United States, Mexico, and down into Central America.

Look for them mainly in freshwater marshes with tall less dense vegetation. They like wetlands of many types and sizes including saltwater occasionally.

This American bittern was spotted on the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in Orange County, Florida.

The American Bittern (botaurus lentiginosus), breeds in Canada and the northern United States in the summer, and winters along the coasts of the United States, Mexico, and down into Central America.

Look for them mainly in freshwater marshes with tall less dense vegetation. They like wetlands of many types and sizes including saltwater occasionally.

A green heron waits for prey in Tampa, Florida's Lettuce Lake Park.

A green heron matches its background on the Lake Apopka North Shore Wildlife Drive in Orange County, Florida.

A green heron stalks prey along the edge of the Hillsborough River in Tampa, Florida's Lettuce Lake Park.

This American bittern was spotted on the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in Orange County, Florida.

A beautiful juvenile yellow-crowned night heron keeps a watchful eye from a branch in Tampa, Florida's Lettuce Lake Park.

A yellow-crowned night heron walks along the branch of a tree in Tampa, Florida's Lettuce Lake Park.

A juvenile yellow-crowned night heron rests in a tree in Tampa, Florida's Lettuce Lake Park.