Great Blue Heron South Padre Island Wetlands

Great Blue Heron South Padre Island Wetlands, ... more

by TN Fairey

Title

Great Blue Heron South Padre Island Wetlands

Artist

TN Fairey

Medium

Photograph - Photographs

Description

Great Blue Heron South Padre Island Wetlands,
It was wonderful to visit South Padre Island again. We had the privilege of living in this beautiful part of Texas in 2001. For those who enjoy birding this is a must especially in the winter months as it is famous for the migratory and local shore birds.

The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae .
The great blue heron is found throughout most of North America, as far north as Alaska and the southern Canadian provinces. The range extends south through Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean to South America. Birds east of the Rocky Mountains in the northern part of their range are migratory and winter in Central America or northern South America. From the southern United States southwards, and on the Pacific coast, they are year-round residents. However, their hardiness is such that individuals often remain through cold northern winters, as well, so long as fish-bearing waters remain unfrozen (which may be the case only in flowing water such as streams, creeks, and rivers).
The great blue heron can adapt to almost any wetland habitat in its range. It may be found in numbers in fresh and saltwater marshes, mangrove swamps, flooded meadows, lake edges, or shorelines. It is quite adaptable and may be seen in heavily developed areas as long as they hold bodies of fish-bearing water.
Great blue herons rarely venture far from bodies of water, but are occasionally seen flying over upland areas. They usually nest in trees or bushes near water's edge, often on islands (which minimizes the potential for predation) or partially isolated spots.


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Uploaded

February 5th, 2015