The Great Blue Heron
One Feather at a Time — Ep. 5
The Great Blue Heron is the largest wading bird commonly seen across Canada’s wetlands, shorelines, and marshes. With its long legs, dagger-like bill, and blue-gray plumage, it’s hard to miss—especially when it takes flight with slow, deliberate wingbeats and its neck tucked into an “S” shape.
Great Blue Heron - Mud Lake (Ottawa)
Adults stand over a meter tall and have wingspans up to 6 feet (1.8 m). Their plumage includes slate-blue flight feathers, a white crown, and a dark head crest. Juveniles are paler and lack the full contrast of breeding adults.
Herons are patient hunters. They move slowly or stand motionless in shallow water, waiting to strike at fish, frogs, or small aquatic animals.
They’re found across most of Canada during the breeding season, nesting in colonies called heronries—often high in trees near water. In winter, many migrate to coastal areas or milder regions, though some remain year-round in southern parts of the country.
I’ve photographed the Great Blue Heron a handful of times, my first time in a lake in Montreal, were one was hunting gold fishes (as you can see below). It was fascinating seen it in action waiting for the right moment to strike and get its prey.
As was starting my journey with photography as you can see on many of these photos. I didn’t have a DSLR at that time, and most of these were capture with a point and shot. It help me to make the most of my gear and learn the basics.
