Tricolor Heron, Egretta tricolor

 Formerly known as the Louisiana Heron, the Tricolor Heron (Egretta tricolor) is a mid-sized wading bird native to the Gulf Coast of the U.S.

Audubon Tricolor page

One of only four Herons found in the U.S., the Tricolor feeds in marshes and shallows by kinking up food with it's feet.

 Most closely related to Bitterns (Ardeidae), Tricolors are seemingly secure with a worldwide population of 500,000....but losing it's wetland habitat.  They are also hunted in South America and "permits to kill" are issued in the U.S. to marine farms.....not to mention the disaster of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
 



I am including this pic.....I like it because, although the colors of the heron are "blown out," the reflection is sharp!!  Serendipity, but I love the effect.