A big bird slowly walks along the beach. It stares into the water. Suddenly its head dips into the water and the bird comes up with a fish. Stretching its neck, the bird swallows the fish in one big gulp.

    This is the Great Blue Heron. It lives year-round on the beaches of seashores and the streams and rivers and estuaries that flow into the sea. An estuary is a body of water where a river flows into the sea. A lagoon on the seashore is an example of an estuary. It is separated by sand or reefs from the full force of ocean waves. Many birds like to hunt for fish in estuaries, right next to the seashore.

    Maybe you’ve seen the Great Blue Heron at the beach, or other water areas. When full grown it stands over four feet tall. Its wingspan is over five feet! With its gray color, that looks almost blue, it’s an easy bird to recognize.

    Since herons walk slowly while hunting for fish in the water, they are good subjects for photography. Herons also like to stand very still and quietly in shallow water, waiting for a fish to come by. Once a fish is close enough, the heron extends its long neck and clamps the fish in its beak. It might stab the fish first and then eat it. Sometimes herons will even catch two fish at the same time!

    If you are quiet and move slowly, you might get a great picture with your camera. The beach on the seashore is a fun place to take pictures. There are usually many birds, but the heron will usually be the largest bird.

    This heron can live in fresh or salt water. It also lives in brackish water, a combination of fresh and salt, like the water in estuaries. You might even see it in a pond near your home. Herons like to go wherever there are fish.

    The Great Blue Heron is an indicator of the eco-system, or environment. If there are healthy heron present and they are breeding and raising young, then the eco-system is healthy.

    Next time you’re at the beach, keep on the lookout for a big bird, the Great Blue Heron.