Okay, how many professors get to see Great Blue Herons (Aredea herodias) right outside their office? This morning one of the office staff called me to inform me that a very big heron-ish bird was standing beside the pond right outside my building. Of course I grabbed my camera and rushed outside, and, sure enough, there was a Great Blue standing beside the pond, eyeing the goldfish. I know these birds are easily spooked, so I got off a few shots from behind a tree before it spotted me and flew away.
I don’t know what it was doing here, as in 29 years I’ve never seen one on campus, but they are year-round residents of Illinois and it was probably seeking a goldfish snack before heading to one of the larger lakes in the area:
This is a bird of great dignity. . .
Nice to have a PCC contribution! There are LOADS of waterfowl in Regents Park (central London where London Zoo is) & they are pretty tame. Anyone who visits London this summer, if you get a chance take a walk there & you will certainly see herons, as well as lots of exotic ducks & geese.
These birds are commony seen in South Florida where I am. They always amaze me with their beauty and majesty. I recently saw one roost high in a tree in the evening, something I have not seen before with one of these birds. Their size and grace is elegantly amazing.
They nest high in trees as well. They like company and dozens of pairs will live and raise their young together. Its called a heronry and one of the more obvious aspects about one is the herbicidal effect of their fishy excrement on the trees and the understory plants.
A heron in your own backyard, what a thrill!
from Cornell University’s so, so helpful website of http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/id, this: “Backyard Tips … … Great Blue Herons aren’t likely to visit a typical backyard. However, they are sometimes unwelcome visitors to yards that include fish ponds. A length of drain pipe placed in the pond can provide fish with a place to hide from feeding herons. Herons, like most of our birds, are legally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.”
And from what I can tell in its and other sites’ literature thereof, the female’s coloration is as vividly stunning as is that of the male’s hues.
What smashing, up – close luck with which to see and photograph your backyard’s visitor this specific morning, Professor ! Apparently, and it does make sense, for your yard’s goldfishes’ protection therefrom, “a length of drain pipe” works quite well !
Blue
Beautiful bird and good photo’s!
Great pictures. I love to see him flying away in the last picture. It’s a beautiful shot.
Really enjoyed that! We used to have a large pond in our old garden. It was regularly visited by a few herons (and muskrat) that claimed it as their territory. They relished the goldfish bistro. Some of the fish were one- or two- pounders.
Way cool! And also glad that your back didn’t complain about grabbing the camera and racing outside.
Always great with wildlife sightings on campus! Nice!
When those things fly I think of pterodactyls.
Speaking of goldfish once a garter snake made off with a goldfish from my parents’ pond. My dad took a blurry picture and we thought it was funny but my mom wasn’t impressed.
I love this kind of chance encounter. Critters out of time or out of place somehow. In late March I caught site of a bluebird when there was still a bit of snow.
Beautiful shots!! We haven’t spotted our localush Harry Heron yet this year.
Make that localISH. Don’t know about Harry’s drinking habits:-)
It’s a peace offering from Zuckerberg, that he’s sorry he purged you?
Here’s where you need to be careful, Professor CC. The Great Blue Heron is one of the two birds that led me down the birding primrose path all those years ago. It could happen to you too!
This heron looks particularly exotic in the beautiful setting of the pond. It’s no wonder that gold fish would attract this keen hunter- artificial selection at work.
Very nice. One of my favorite birds!
They are such beautiful birds – how nice that he graced your campus.
What a great photo op–the elegant & formidable heron at the side of a beautifully planted water feature. This one looks like it’s in full breeding plumage. Spectacular bird, nice shots!
If there are fish in that pond I suspect you may be seeing hi again!
Until they are all gone. People around here go to great lengths to keep their fish safe from the herons. Some compromise the serenity of their beautiful plantings with chicken wire coverings and wooden stakes to keep the herons out. Others string monofilament fishing line back and forth up above the pond to discourage them from attempting a landing.
The local salmon hatchery stretched fishing nets over the top of their tanks to keep out the predators. One heron found its weight would bring the net down low enough that it could poke its beak through the mesh and eat its fill.
They’re smart. Not fooled by any stupid fake herons by the pond either.
A grey heron (Ardea cinerea) and a flock of 40+ little egrets (Egretta garzetta) are resident at the millpond close to my mother’s house. This is along with mallard ducks, coots, moorhens, a nesting pair of mute swans, plus a variety of seasonal visitors and passing oddities. As I don’t have a long lens no photos, unfortunately!
Nice snaps, Professor! There is a Great Blue Heron that frequents a pond near my house that always sees me before I see it and summarily takes flight. But, yes, they are magnificent and definitely a highlight on any outing.