Birds seem to spend a lot of time grooming themselves and this Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) was no exception. I spotted it yesterday on a small island in the Potomac River, midway between Riverbend Park and Great Falls Park. I knew that Great Blue Herons had flexible necks, but I must admit that I had never before seen one contort itself into the position shown in the first photo below.
After it had adjusted its feathers, the heron stood for a while with its wings partially opened. The position looks really strange and I have been told that it is a way for herons to dissipate heat when the weather gets hot by allowing greater air circulation. In case you are curious, I took the second and third photos from exactly the same spot—for one of them I was standing and for the other I was crouching.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Nice Mike! The first time you see them in that position it does make you wonder! But quite often you see them doing that. It is stranger looking when you see 2 or more and only one is doing that and the others are just looking at that one. Sort of like what are you doing!
Aren’t they amazing birds? My very favorite..
Aside from the heron, that’s an impressive weir in the background. I’d love to stand there and enjoy the sight and sound of the weir!
The waterflow is pretty amazing at that spot, and even more so when you get to the so-called Great Falls. I’ll have to try to photograph them some time soon so that you can see what I mean.
Please.. I’d love to see the “Great Falls”! BTW, although its a slow process I’ve now decided the content of the “first watercolour”. I think about it a lot 🙂
I’ve seen them do that, but I saw it long before I knew what it was, and long before I carried a camera. Now, I’m hoping to see again sometime, so I can do just what you did — take a photo!
Great captures of this behavior, Mike, makes me think of a satellite dish. Not only when it’s hot, but I’ve seen this in the winter on a sunny day — presumably to work in reverse and absorb some heat.
I’m with Liz thought the water fall was pretty neat, too.
Thanks, Ellen. I think I have only seen the herons’ spread wings in the summer, but it makes sense that it could be used to warm up in the wintry sun. I’ll have to keep an eye open this coming winter.
Great behaviour shots, Mike. The first is really contorted!
Thanks, Chris. I love watching Great Blue Herons, though I must admit that they often have more patience that I do when they are fishing.