A great blue heron provides a photographer with a great shot at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, a wildlife park in a disused waterworks in Delray Beach, Florida. Photo: Ronen Tivony
My great blue heron photo from Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach was selected for The Times‘ “News in Pictures” on January 12, 2026. Click here to View The Times News in Pictures Gallery
Great Blue Heron: Florida’s Iconic Wading Bird
Great blue herons (Ardea herodias) stand 4-5 feet tall with 6-7 foot wingspans, making them North America’s largest herons. They hunt fish, frogs, and crustaceans using stealth and lightning-fast strikes.
Mating Season: January–April in Florida. Herons nest in large rookeries, performing elaborate courtship displays. Both parents incubate 3-7 eggs for 28 days; chicks fledge in 50-60 days.
Migration: Northern populations winter in Florida (October–April), swelling local heron numbers. Birds show strong site fidelity, returning to the same territories annually.
Wakodahatchee Wetlands: Premier Birding Hotspot
Wakodahatchee spans 50 acres in Delray Beach, Palm Beach County. Opened in 1996, this reclaimed water treatment facility filters wastewater while supporting over 178 bird species.
Access: Free admission, sunrise to sunset. 3/4-mile elevated boardwalk with observation platforms. No pets or drones.
Best Times: Winter (December–April) for peak nesting and courtship. Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunrise for golden-hour light
About Ronen Tivony: Florida Wildlife Photography Expert
Ronen Tivony is an award-winning wildlife photojournalist, Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, and Certified Florida Master Naturalist. With decades of field experience, Ronen merges photojournalism storytelling with deep ecological expertise in every workshop. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BBC, TIME, CNN, The Smithsonian, Rolling Stone, The Guardian, The New Yorker, and National Geographic.
As a Florida resident and Certified Florida Master Naturalist, Ronen teaches camera techniques alongside animal behavior, habitat dynamics, and conservation insights. Whether leading private sessions or small groups, he provides immediate in-field feedback and personalized instruction, helping photographers at all levels capture Florida’s defining wildlife moments.
Join Ronen for an immersive experience combining professional standards, storytelling mastery, and passion for Florida’s natural wonders.
Explore More: View my full portfolio of published wildlife photography or join an upcoming Florida photography workshop to elevate your field craft.