Photo by Radovan Zierik
When flying, Great Blue Herons fold their necks into an S-shape and keep their legs straight out behind them. They fly with slow, steady wing beats and can cover long distances during migration, though many populations are resident year-round.
The Great Blue Heron
The bird on our logo is an expert fisherman.
He wades through the water on his long, long legs spearing fish and other small animals with his long sharp beak.
He’s a big bird as well, if he stretches out his neck he can be nearly four feet long and when he spreads his wings he’s about six feet from wing tip to wing tip.
You can’t miss him as he flies above you beating those wings in a slow steady beat.
He’s called the Great Blue Heron but most people would call him a grey bird.
You have to look carefully to see the bluish tinge of his wonderful feathers.
So why is a water bird the logo for a bird group in the Valley of the Sun?
Well, our rivers and creeks have always been important, they have always made life possible in a very dry hot place.
Wherever there are rivers and creeks you will find the herons making a very good living.
The herons are very adaptable birds though; they’ve learned a few new tricks.
I often see herons on rooftops near golf courses, waiting to investigate the ponds there.
You will find them at water treatment areas and near those shopping centers with artificial landscaped lakes.
So they teach us a lesson, water is very precious wherever it comes from, don’t waste a drop.