Herons are very striking majestic looking birds. I sometimes think they look almost left over from prehistoric times, especially when flying.
They can be found near water, whether streams, rivers, ponds, lochs or the open sea. They stand stock still looking into the water patiently waiting to catch a bite to eat. It’s not just fish they’ll eat, they will also eat small birds and mammals.
I rarely see them actually catch anything, but then I don’t have the patience of a heron to stand and wait like they do. This spring I watched one up at a nearby pond and saw it struggling to swallow an unfortunate frog whole.
Herons have the most amazing feathers including long tendrils.
Herons are quite distinct when flying overhead. I could almost imagine they are pterodactyls.
Herons take off gracefully, most often when they see me approaching with the big lens.
A few weeks ago I enjoyed watching this one make this rather spectacular landing onto the river I was walking beside.
Sarah's Wildlife Watch 