Over the 4th of July holiday, I was camping at a park on Bainbridge Island. As expected in the NW, it was a very rainy holiday, at least on Bainbridge Island. I did do some hiking around the island and came upon this cove where several Great Blue Heron were hanging around.
The Great Blue Heron is a large bird, one of my favorites and a favorite of many in the Pacific NW. It is almost an icon in this region, with many business’ and organizations using its image on their letterhead or logo. The Great Blue Heron is the largest of the American herons and its widely distributed in the North and South America. Its range extends from Alaska to northern Canada and throughout the United States, into Mexico and continuing through Central America to South America. Its habitat is water environments, either salt or fresh water along the coasts and near lakes, ponds, swamps, and rivers. In fact it is so common that it is listed as a species of least concern.
I was able to get this photo of a GBH in flight. I have many photos of herons, taken all across the US, but this is one of my favorite inflight photos. Herons are magnificent birds, and it is no wonder why they are so often used as a symbol in the Pacific Northwest. =efh=
