Patient Fisherman

Long on patience, the Great Blue Heron stands ready to strike.  First of all, I envy the patience these creatures possess.  If I were to stand as still as they for as long as they, I would be so stiff that nothing would be the catch of the day.  When these herons decide the quarry is within their long necked reach, lightning fast they are.  There is a gracefulness to the movements of this bird which can stand as tall as four feet and has a wingspan of 72 inches.  Hard not to notice something like that.

 

Almost everyone knows of these birds.  Young, old, novice, and expert—doesn’t matter.  These birds are so common and so widely distributed that so many have seen one.  But few know there is a white phase.  The Great White Heron can fool many a birder.  The definitive field mark is the legs.  The Great White Heron has pale yellow legs, while the Great Egret has dark black legs.  So, look carefully.

The Rookery at Smith Oaks, High Island

Actually, the rookery is named Heron Island and is horseshoe shaped.  It sits at one end of the Clay Bottom Pond.  It is a nesting and roosting habitat for herons, egrets, cormorants, and spoonbills.  This is a predator free sanctuary for these and many other species as it is completely surrounded by water.  However, any visitor is afforded a variety of viewing opportunities as many well designed viewing platforms have been constructed.  Close enough to get grand looks at the waterfowl while leaving the birds safe and undisturbed.

By the way, have you ever heard Roseated Spoonbills “talking”.  It’s hilarious.

Green Heron

More from our trip to the Upper Texas Coast:  A marsh inhabitant, this Green Heron, when surprised issue a sharp, loud “skyawp”.  Most fascinating about this bird is it uses a tool.  It baits the water it is fishing to lure in its food.  It places small insects or frogs, even twigs and earthworms, in the water and then waits.  It strikes by darting its long neck grabbing the fish.

I’ve read that orange legs (and this one has orange legs) means this is a male who is ready to court.  I would like to know if such is true.

Green Herons prefer to nest in small trees or bushes over water.  And they prefer solitary nests or very small colonies to larger rookeries.