During a recent visit to Green Spring Gardens, a county-run historic garden in my area, I spotted a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) that looked extra fluffy. I suspect that the heron had just fluffed up its feathers in an effort to stay warm.
Despite the cold weather, the heron was standing in the shallow water of a small, man-made pond, attempting to catch something to eat. The heron seemed to be carefully tracking some prey and plunged its beak into the water several times. During the time that I was observing it, however, the heron was unsuccessful in its fishing efforts.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Yes, quite fluffy. 🙂 Hopefully he got more successful at fishing.
Very nice fluffy Heron image Mike! It does seem like herons can tolerate the cold! One Winter eve I photographed a heron just dunking up to its head in very cold water at a local Wildlife Area in NJ. Stayed in the water splashing around for over an hour! Enjoyed seeing your images!
I don’t know what it is about herons, but they sure do seem able to tolerate the cold pretty well. Still, it has to be a real challenge to be able to find enough food to survive during the harsh weather.
Seeing him standing in the water still sends a chill up my spine.
I am always amazed that the Great Blue Heron does not fly south for the winter, like its “cousin” the Great Egret that is with us only during the warmer months.