heron

Tag

By Fluttering

Jordan Lake. One way great blue herons, in the excessive heat, cool off is by “fluttering”. They use a combination of mouth breathing while vibrating their moist throat membranes. This results in evaporation and cooling.

By Great Blue Heron Brunch

Jordan Lake. 3 great blue herons were trying to share a section of the riprap while they were having brunch. These herons are always territorial even if it means trying to defend maybe 8 feet between itself and its neighbor. You’ll get to see that defense here.

By Blue Air, Water, Heron

Jordan Lake, Haw River: Great blue herons are actually gray, until, just until you see them, literally in the right light. Such as finding this fledgling great blue heron this morning in the shadows of the banks of the riprap as the sun had fully cleared the horizon. Azure blue air, water and heron!

By Jordan Lake Neighborhood: Great Blue Heron Fledgling video 06/10/2019
Fledgling
Many different species of birds are fledging at Jordan Lake right now.
I quietly watched this great blue heron this morning.
This new flier is about 8 weeks old and has probably been flying for only a few days.
 He was exploring the lake shoreline when he discovered that I was watching him.
Full of curiosity he ambled closer for a look.

 

By Jordan Lake Neighborhood, 2 photos, 02-18-2019
Jordan Lake Neighborhood
 
Great blue herons often argue and chase one another.
Each is certain that the other heron has the better fishing spot on the bank.
This fracas started on the shore of the Haw River, inside the riprap.
The dam was stunning fish as they passed through the gates and the pickings were easy.
Unless, of course, your neighbor heron was further upstream than you were and the fish passed them first.
Both herons missed the fish and a third heron a little further downstream had it for breakfast.