Purple Heron, c. 1836 by John James Audubon

Purple Heron, by John James Audubon A reddish heron with a shaggy rust-colored head and neck stands beside its white color-morph companion, the pair rendered together against a misty shoreline with broad-leafed tropical foliage. Audubon, the American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter (1785-1851) who created The Birds of America, documented the species' distinct dark and white color phases side by side during his travels through the Florida Keys.

Artist: John James Audubon (American, 1785-1851). Date: 1836.

Purple Heron, by John James Audubon. Hand-Colored Engraving Reproduction Canvas Print.