Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron is one of the largest of the North American herons and egrets, standing four feet tall and with a wingspan of six feet.  It ranges from Alaska to Nova Scotia and southward across the continent to Mexico and the West Indies.  In Texas, the Great Blue Heron is most common along the coast, but it can also be seen beside streams, ponds and lakes throughout the state.  Herons are wading birds and their long legs, neck and bill are perfect for stalking food in shallow water.  They primarily feed on fish, but also eat insects, turtles, frogs, snakes and rodents.  Unlike the Night Heron, the great blue uses his bill to stab or grab his prey.

Sandhill Cranes

I managed to catch part of a flock of Sandhill Cranes as they flew directly over me while I was visiting the south Texas coast last weekend.  There were hundreds of the birds in each flock and we saw at least 7 or 8 flocks heading for the marshes surrounding the Lower Laguna Madre bay system.  The Sandhills migrate from Canada and Alaska this time of year to winter in the rice fields west of Houston and the marsh lands of the southern Texas coast. These beautiful birds not only eat aquatic life, but also dine on small animals, insects, grain, green shoots and berries.  They stand four feet high and have a wingspread of nearly 7 feet.  They are sometimes mistaken for the Blue Heron, but the bare red skin on the crown and bustle of fluffy feathers distinguish it from the Heron. I feel very fortunate to have been at the coast to witness their annual migration.