wild things
Message from the Great Blue Heron
by julie littell I Photos by wib middleton
It ’ s a crisp winter morning and in the early hour I ’ m blessed with having the C & O Canal all to myself . Or so I thought when a sense of my father overtakes me . “ Hey Dad ! Checking up on me again ?” I ’ m not scared or confused because this happens to me quite often . Sure enough , there huddled by the shore I spot the gray bird . He squawks , neatly unfolds , and begins his flight . His wingspan is about six feet ; head and neck are drawn back in a distinctive S , and his legs trail behind . I ’ d been told that in Chinese culture the Great Blue Heron is a representative of a loved one who had passed . That when you see one , it means they ’ re visiting you . But research and a chat with Bruce Beehler , PhD , Research Associate , Division of Birds at the National Museum of Natural History , reveals that this lore isn ’ t attributed to the Chinese or the heron . A true myth .
In Chinese culture , Greek mythology , and other traditions birds are particularly symbolic , because they fly freely from the earth and can connect us to the heavens . Divine messengers who convey our humble requests to the gods above . And indeed , the Great Blue Heron is known across various traditions as a spiritual bird that brings deep wisdom from the gods to man .
The Great Blue Heron , or etymologically speaking Ardea herodias , is the largest heron in North America . They ’ re typically four feet tall and have a wingspan of six to seven feet . Despite the size , they weigh only six or seven pounds .
According to the Audubon Field Guide , Great Blue Herons are highly adaptable and can call marshes , swamps , and tidal flats home . They forage in calm fresh waters like shallow coastal bays or slow-moving rivers . Here along the Bay and mid-Atlantic , they are our year-round neighbors .
The Great Blue Heron is mostly gray , which contradicts its name . Its head is white with black stripes extending from the eye to a feathery crest . Its long neck is streaked with black as well . Its back and wings are grayish blue , perhaps an added touch to justify its name .
While Great Blue Herons are not lifelong pairs , they go through