Romeoville resident Mark Hanna’s wife has a special nickname for the green heron her husband photographed at McKinley Woods – Frederick's Grove.

"My wife calls that one Elvis," Hanna said in a news release, referring to the bird’s crest of black crown feathers which resembles a poufy pompadour or, perhaps, even a mohawk.

A shot of the bird balancing on a branch with an intense fish-hunting stare won July's portion of the Forest Preserve's photo contest.

Hanna said he took the photo on a rainy day when he decided to explore nature rather than sit in the house. He sat in his small wagon and rested his feet on his camera bag waiting for the perfect shot as he watched the heron snack on fish.

Hanna said he loves to take photos at McKinley Woods because of the wide range of wildlife.

Judges liked the composition of the photo, the feathery detail and the bird’s intense look. Judges also awarded four honorable mentions to: Mary Hudolin of Joliet for summer blooms at McKinley Woods – Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Deb Jennings of Tinley Park for a sunset paddle at Monee Reservoir, Michael Fagan of Frankfort for a deer reflected in water at Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve and Joseph Traina of Joliet for a ruby-throated hummingbird in full stretch at Rock Run Preserve.

Hanna’s photo is the third of eight monthly finalists that will be chosen by a panel of judges before the contest concludes on Dec. 31. In January 2019, the monthly finalists will be entered into the overall contest, which will be judged by online voting via the District’s Facebook page.