Herons return

The Great Blue Heron is here year round. However, I don’t see it as often during the summer when ospreys dominate the area. When ospreys are around, herons avoid favoured osprey perches, for if they don’t, they are likely to be attacked. Now that ospreys have headed south, herons are more likely to be seen. This adult stopped by this afternoon.

The heron spent its time preening and napping. It was removing the sheath of keratin that had protected new (blood) feathers as they grew. This it could do with its bill for most parts of its body, but it needed to use a foot for feathers on its head.

The Kootenay-Lake Website offers a discussion and more pictures of local herons.

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One Response to Herons return

  1. Carol Pettigrew says:

    Your site with all the heron pics is sooo good, so natural. It is like being right there.
    Carol

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