Green heron on a bare branch

Green herons are one of the few bird species known to use tools — they’ll drop bait like insects or feathers onto the water’s surface to lure fish within striking range. Small, stocky, and easy to overlook compared to their larger heron cousins.

Why it matters

Their presence in the marsh behind the dunes is a sign the wetland is healthy enough to support small fish and the birds that hunt them.

Getting the shot

Found perched and still, so it was mostly a matter of getting the angle right against the shaded, out-of-focus background.