Here is a good example of the breeding colors of a Little Blue Heron. I caught this single shot as he blew right past me. I shot a lot more, too fast though. He was really moving.

During the spring these birds go from a slate color to almost magenta, deep purple. Their beak becomes the same blue / purple shades. In sunlight it’s almost shocking they are so vivid.

What makes the transition even more remarkable is that for the first 18 months of their life they are pure white!