It was a frigid and desolate day and ice had formed at the edges of the ponds at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. My initial scan revealed that there were no ducks or other water birds on the surface of the water. As I looked more carefully, though, I caught sight of the familiar shape of a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias).
The heron was stationary, huddled on the opposite side of the pond from me. I can’t tell for sure, but it looks like the heron was standing on a single leg, with the second leg pulled up under its chest feathers in an effort to conserve body heat. Great Egrets and Green Herons leave our area and head south before the winter arrives, but Great Blue Herons remain with us throughout the cold season.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Nice Mike! Here in NJ they are mostly gone by now. Years ago I went to a small local Refuge on Christmas Day and there was a small opening in the ice. There was a Great Blue splashing around in the shallow water in that opening for about half an hour before it got back on the ice. It was fun to photograph! But it did not seem to mind the cold!
Hearty flock.
Such a beautiful bird… I think I’d be standing on one leg too! Lol! 🐦💚
Hardy birds!
I think I would head south. Actually that sounds like a good idea for humans too like me. 🙂
I would if I could! 🙂