Images In Depth

Feature Creature

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Herons are probably one of the most familiar of all herons in North America. Their range extends from coastal Alaska, to south-central Canada to Mexico on the west coast. At nearly four feet in height, they are the largest heron in North America. Their wing span is nearly 72 inches.

The Great Blue is also very adaptable. They can be found near rivers, lake edges, marshes, saltwater shores and swamps. Their diet consists of a wide variety of animals including fish, frogs, lizards, crayfish and insects. They will fish either during the day or night with the heaviest feeding activity around sunrise and sunset.

Great Blue Herons breed during March-May in their northern range and from November-April in the southern range. They size of the clutch varies from 3-7 pale, greenish-blue eggs. The chicks fledge at about two months of age. Most Great Blues nest in large groups in tall trees or in reedbeds.

Photo Info: The top photo was taken with Nikon F5, Tokina AF 400 (handheld). The bottom photo was taken with a Nikon F5, AF-I 600 f/4D on an Arca-Swiss B-2 ballhead mounted on the Gitzo carbon fiber tripod. All of these photos were taken at Venice Rookery, Venice, Florida. Film: Agfa RSX 100

Great Blue Heron Web Site

• The Great Blue Heron - Great Canadian site

© Copyright 2006 Jan A. Allinder / Lucid Images Wildlife Photography LLC

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