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See New Heron Photos Below the Engravings!
THE GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)
"GREAT BLUE HERON
MATRIARCH "
"TWO GREAT BLUES IN
THE BLUE "
"GREAT BLUE HERON
SKIES "
"GREAT BLUE COMES IN
FOR A LANDING"
"GREAT BLUE HERON IN
FLIGHT "
"GREAT BLUE HERON
WADES WETLANDS "
"GREAT BLUE HERON IN
WETLANDS "
"TAKE OFF"
FREQUENTING THE NORTHERN SHORES
OF COLUMBIA LAKE
A GREAT BLUE HERON STANDS
IN OUR 'RAMSAR DESIGNATED' WETLANDS
Living within several miles of a Great Blue Heron colony in the Columbia Valley wetlands area at the northern end of Columbia Lake, I have the privilege of seeing these huge intriguing birds cruising the skies almost daily in the summer months. Their graceful blue-grey bodies are easily recognizable in flight with their 6' wingspans, long legs trailing behind and long necks folded back over their shoulders in an S form. Being members of the waders family they are distinguishable from cranes in flight because of their crooked necks. These birds are fast fliers cruising at speeds of 19 to 29 mph. It is interesting to watch them wading through the wetland reeds on their long narrow greyish legs in their quest to spear fish, frogs or small garter snakes. When I am canoeing on Columbia Lake and they see me nearing them, they strike a still stance remaining almost totally camouflaged in the reeds till I paddle on. Herons stand 4' tall and when I use my binoculars to view them standing there in the reeds, I am usually able to easily spot their white head cap with the distinguishable black stripe below it. This stripe starts above the eye near their long sharp yellow bill and runs to the back of their neck ending in short pointed plumes. Juveniles lack this white head cap and crest plumes and are greyer over-all than the adults. During the mating season two of these extended black neck feathers become long and thread like. Although I was able to see from higher ground, the general area in the woods where the herons were landing in the trees some distance away, I spent almost an hour on my first visit searching through the bush to find the exact area where the colony of nests was hidden in the upper limbs of a tall grove of cottonwoods. (See photos below.) It was interesting to note that although herons can sometimes be a noisy lot with loud squawking, not a sound could be heard as I approached the heronry. It was not until I almost stumbled upon some huge nests which had fallen to the ground that I realized I was in the right spot. (See photos below). Due to the heaviness of the nests they are sometimes blown to the ground by strong winter winds. Male herons chose a new mate each year, and help their mate to either rebuild their platform-like nests from scratch or refurbish old ones with twigs and branches. As can be seen in my photo it is common to see many nests in the same tree. Three to seven bluish-green eggs are laid in each nest from late March to mid-April with both parents doing the incubating. Eggs hatch (See photo of egg shell below) in 4 weeks then both parents care for the chicks. Chicks are able to fly after 56 - 60 days leaving the nesting area on average from mid July to early August to disperse to other areas where they can find fish. The blue herons life-span averages 17 years. The Herons range is northern south America, Central America and North America all the way from Mexico to Canada. Herons migrate south in winter from areas where the waters freeze, as in this south-eastern portion of British Columbia, Canada. Food for thought: It was
only recently in February of 2007, long after my first visit to the heronry in May 2005,
and further visits to the area in late summer of 2006, that I
read that Herons can be so dangerous when fledglings are in the nest, that
they have been known to dive bomb humans and impale them with their wide pointed
dagger like bills. Subsequent to my one visit in May the others were fortunately made at a
safer time in late
August. I unknowingly thought I was safe in the woods because I had a large dog with
me, but next time I am in the area I might also wear a hard hat or bicycle
helmet.
FALLEN NESTS
ON THE FOREST FLOOR.
....AND ANOTHER NEST AND THE REMAINS OF AN EGG
A BLUE HERON EGG
ANOTHER FALLEN NEST CLOSE UP
THE NESTS ARE STACKED IN
TREES
ANOTHER HERON WATCHES
TWENTY FIVE VISIBLE HERON
NESTS IN THIS PHOTO
THE GREAT BLUE HERON BIRD
TOTEM Cycle of Power: Spring Key:
Independence, Uniqueness, Dignity, Self Determination and Self Reliance Persons having the Great Blue Heron totem are strong willed, dignified and uniquely independent. They stand on their own two feet and know what is best for themselves. Heron people are very observant and instinctive and take successful advantage of opportunities others might not notice. Heron people are not followers. They "dance to their own drummer" and do not feel the need to fit in or "keep up with the Joneses". Although they enjoy socializing they are perfectly content to be on their own. They are versatile and adaptable and enjoy exploring new and different avenues in life and learning new skills. People with the Great Blue
Heron as their totem are of strong character and take full control and
responsibility for their actions.
THE GREAT BLUE HERONS TAKE FLIGHT
Art, Poetry & Photography
© Copyright Elaine Sell Prefontaine "Art
purely created, and nakedly witnessed, frees the soul"
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