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A few more facts about them:
Despite their size they only weigh about five to six pounds, thanks to their hollow bones.
They typically lay between two to six eggs. Great Blue Herons at higher latitudes and in freshwater habitats tend to have more eggs per clutch on average.
Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for 4 weeks.
The young can first fly at about 60 days.
While some nests are built on the ground near a water's edge, great blue herons mostly nest in colonies in trees near water. These colonies are called "heronries". These nests can be 100 or more feet off the ground and can range from 50 to 500 nests per colony.
Great Blue Herons have specialized feathers on their chest that continually grow and fray. The herons comb this "powder down" with a fringed claw on their middle toes, using the down like a washcloth to remove fish slime and other oils from their feathers as they preen. Applying the powder to their underparts protects their feathers against the slime and oils of the swamps.
In Native American lore the Heron embodies wisdom and patience. Supremely capable at fishing and hunting, the Iroquois felt that the sight of one before a hunt was a very good omen for success.
I hope you found this interesting, and thanks for looking. Enjoy your day.
Your pictures are awesome and professional. You got such beautiful detail on the feathers, really stunning.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ginny, that is such a nice compliment :) The heron helped a lot, his pose was something I hadn't been able to capture before.
DeleteThey are a very, very beautiful bird aren't they? Thank you for sharing these stunning photos and information.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are and you are very welcome. So glad you enjoyed :)
DeleteYes Denise I did find it interesting and lovely images to go with it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret, happy you enjoyed :)
DeleteInteresting to read about the bird, it's a nice looking creature.
ReplyDeleteStay safe.
Thank you Margaret, I have always liked these birds. You stay safe also :)
DeleteVery beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Natalia :)
DeleteI have not seen one in a long time because I haven't been anywhere to see one but they are quite common here and this is a beautiful picture of a really beautiful heron
ReplyDeleteI haven't been out to see any and I miss that. Thanks Sandra, I would love to be able to see them all the time.
DeleteHello Denise - your heron is a splendid chappy! I liked reading about preening their powder!
ReplyDeleteWren x
Hi Wren, thank you and happy you enjoyed :) x
DeleteGorgeous pictures! You are an excellent photographer, Denise.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gigi, you are so kind :)
DeleteMajestic, are they not?
ReplyDelete💝
They are very much so :)
DeleteIt is lovely bird;-)
ReplyDeleteI agree :)
Deletea lovely bird which does not live in my place
ReplyDeleteThank you Gosia, I would be interested in seeing the birds that do :)
DeleteHi Denise,
ReplyDeleteSuper series of images of the Great Blue Heron, a real monster of a bird and they will devour anything.
You both stay safe,
John
Hi John, thank you. They are amazing to watch fishing. You both stay safe also :)
DeleteVery interesting, especially on those hollow bones!
ReplyDeleteI agree, thank you Christine :)
DeleteThese are wonderful pictures, and such interesting facts. I always find it fascinating to watch them perch in a tree...they just don't look like they should be able to. LOL
ReplyDeleteThey are great to watch aren't they? I agree, they look too big to sit in trees :)
DeleteSuch a great bird. Love these photos.
ReplyDeleteSo glad Ellen, thank you :)
DeleteI did! Thanks
ReplyDeleteThank you Cloudia :)
DeleteThank you Agnieszka :)
ReplyDeleteThey're formidable birds. I haven't seen any this year, though I haven't really been looking either.
ReplyDeleteThank you William :) It will be quite a while before I see another I’m thinking.
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