HERON NO. 12

This great blue heron was a husband's commission for his beloved wife on her birthday. The heron visits their home on the marsh in Mount Pleasant - landing on the dock with the tree off in the distance. The great blue heron is the largest heron in North America, standing up to 4.5 feet tall with a wingspan of 6-7 feet. Its slate-blue plumage, long legs, and S-shaped neck give it a statuesque and graceful appearance. These solitary waders are often seen along rivers, lakes, and marshes. They stand perfectly still as they hunt, fish, amphibians, and small mammals with their sharp spearlike bill. They nest in tall trees or shrubs in colonies called rookeries.