{"id":10778,"date":"2018-04-09T06:34:23","date_gmt":"2018-04-09T10:34:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=10778"},"modified":"2018-04-04T16:30:17","modified_gmt":"2018-04-04T20:30:17","slug":"take-5-great-blue-herons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-great-blue-herons\/","title":{"rendered":"Take 5: Great Blue Herons"},"content":{"rendered":"

Migrating great blue herons arrive in New England as early as the latter part of March, where they join the small population of great blues that overwinter here.<\/p>\n

The most common place to find great blue herons is at the edge of a wetland, where they will stand stock-still, tracking the movements of fish and frogs and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.<\/p>\n

Once a rare sight in the northeast US due to hunting pressure and pollution, great blue herons have staged a staggering comeback in the past few decades. Now, these statuesque wading birds can be seen at ponds, lakes, and rivers of all sizes, often in surprisingly urban areas.<\/p>\n

Great blue herons are something of a “fan favorite” for many folks, with their graceful movement and ubiquity at bodies of water across the state. Have you spotted any herons already returned to their nesting sites? Learn more about great blue herons<\/a> on our website.<\/p>\n

Here are five fantastic photos of great blues from our annual Picture This: Your Great Outdoors<\/a> photo contest. Submissions for the 2018 photo contest begin in early summer, so stay tuned!<\/p>\n

\"Great

Great Blue Heron \u00a9 Steven Brasier<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Great

Great Blue Heron \u00a9 Brooks Mathewson<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Great

Great Blue Heron \u00a9 John Elliott<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Great

Great Blue Heron \u00a9 Pat Ramey<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Great

Great Blue Heron \u00a9 Jean Joyce<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Migrating great blue herons arrive in New England as early as the latter part of March, where they join the small population of great blues that overwinter here. The most common place to find great blue herons is at the edge of a wetland, where they will stand stock-still, tracking the movements of fish and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":10786,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[158],"tags":[28,219,218,83,84],"class_list":["post-10778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-take-5","tag-birds","tag-great-blue-heron","tag-heron","tag-photo-contest","tag-photography"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/04\/1277PatRamey4349_fi.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-2NQ","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15765,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/protecting-a-home-for-herons-in-worcester\/","url_meta":{"origin":10778,"position":0},"title":"Protecting a Home for Herons in Worcester","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"May 21, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Once a rare sight in the northeast US due to hunting pressure and pollution, Great Blue Herons have staged a staggering comeback in the past few decades. Now, these statuesque wading birds can be seen at ponds, lakes, and rivers of all sizes, often in surprisingly urban areas. Their impressive\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Land Protection"","block_context":{"text":"Land Protection","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/land-protection\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/4124Joe_Howell17675-750x500-a214c69a-2bb8-408a-82eb-2e257bf72645.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/4124Joe_Howell17675-750x500-a214c69a-2bb8-408a-82eb-2e257bf72645.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/4124Joe_Howell17675-750x500-a214c69a-2bb8-408a-82eb-2e257bf72645.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/4124Joe_Howell17675-750x500-a214c69a-2bb8-408a-82eb-2e257bf72645.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5907,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-gorgeous-and-goofy-green-herons\/","url_meta":{"origin":10778,"position":1},"title":"Take 5: Gorgeous and Goofy Green Herons","author":"Rosemary","date":"August 3, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"The green heron is at once elegant and comical. This common wetland bird looks small and compact\u2014but then something startles it, and up goes the head on a loooooong neck. Past participants in our Photo Contest have captured this bird in graceful and funny poses. Read more about the green\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/07\/Yunzhong-He-2013.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/07\/Yunzhong-He-2013.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/07\/Yunzhong-He-2013.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7584,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/100-great-wildlife-sanctuary-birding-spots\/","url_meta":{"origin":10778,"position":2},"title":"100 Great Wildlife Sanctuary Birding Spots","author":"Hillary T.","date":"May 11, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Bird-a-thon, Mass Audubon\u2019s annual birding competition takes place on May 13-14. Teams of birders will attempt to see (or hear) the most species in a 24-hour time span. At the same time, birders and \u201cBird-a-thon\u00a0Boosters\u201d are raising money to support wildlife sanctuaries and programs. To kick-off Bird-a-thon and celebrate 100\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/05\/wood-duck_BP_Richard-Johnson.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/05\/wood-duck_BP_Richard-Johnson.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/05\/wood-duck_BP_Richard-Johnson.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5790,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/last-month-in-birding-june-2015\/","url_meta":{"origin":10778,"position":3},"title":"Last Month in Birding: June 2015","author":"Rosemary","date":"July 13, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"It was another interesting month in Massachusetts birding. Let's\u00a0take a look at a few of the most exciting bird sightings as suggested by our experts. \"Brewster\u2019s warbler\" (Vermivora pinus x chrysoptera) This beautiful animal\u00a0is the fertile hybrid of two closely-related birds, the blue-winged warbler (Vermivora pinus) and the golden-winged warbler\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/07\/ycnh1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/07\/ycnh1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/07\/ycnh1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7359,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/5-fun-facts-about-arcadia\/","url_meta":{"origin":10778,"position":4},"title":"5 Fun Facts About Arcadia","author":"Hillary T.","date":"April 11, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"By Jonah Keane, Sanctuary Director Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Northampton and Easthampton is Mass Audubon\u2019s flagship sanctuary in the Connecticut River Valley. Sandwiched between the two cities\u2019 downtown areas, its 700+ acres of forest, river, wetlands, and\u00a0restored grasslands are remarkably\u00a0diverse and easily accessible. Even though the wildlife sanctuary has been\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sanctuaries 100"","block_context":{"text":"Sanctuaries 100","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/sanctuaries-100\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/accessible.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/accessible.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/accessible.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7507,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-time-to-nest\/","url_meta":{"origin":10778,"position":5},"title":"Take 5: Time to Nest","author":"Hillary T.","date":"April 25, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"This is the time of year birds are busy preparing for nesting season. Nests take all shapes and sizes and incorporate different materials from big sticks (ospreys and herons) to dead grass, twigs, and fibers (robins, orioles, and warblers). A number of bird species nest on balconies and building ledges\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/Jeff_Martineau.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/Jeff_Martineau.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/Jeff_Martineau.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10778","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10778"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10778\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10795,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10778\/revisions\/10795"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}