Great Blue Heron

Description

Sometimes hiding really is the best policy, especially when dealing with the regal but very shy great blue heron.  Dad photographed this bird from inside a slow-moving van with the sliding door open.  The birds at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge near Sherman, Texas are used to lots of cars so they aren’t spooked at all.  You might call the van a rolling bird blind.

Great blue herons can be found along rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes and open coastal areas.  Quite often they appear to be statues as they stalk fish and other tasty treats.  But don’t be fooled.  Herons possess lightning-fast reflexes to stab their prey with their bills.