On the evening of July 14, I walked over to the Salt Marsh in Inwood Hill Park to follow up on reports of a Black-crowned Night Heron there. I did get to see it, but first I was completely captivated by the stillness of another heron.
The weather hasn’t been good for frequent walks of late. It’s been too hot, too muggy, too stormy, or too smoky from the wildfires, and frequently it’s been a combination of these elements. Mostly, the dew point has soared into an uncomfortable range, making the air feel like water. On the walk at the Salt Marsh, it felt like the water and land had blended into one.
When I arrived at the Salt Marsh a little before 8 pm, I spotted a Great Blue Heron wading in the water just at the rocky bank. It was perfectly still and didn’t move for the longest time.
I was able to see the Great Blue Heron was a juvenile.
The young Great Blue Heron had dark streaks on its neck, with lots of brown feathers mixed into the grays, and it had no plumes or chest feathers. The top of its bill was dark. (For contrast, see the feature image for May’s sightings showing a mature adult. https://birdsofinwood.com/birds-in-season/sightings/sightings-spring-2023-may/) The young heron looked like it had just gotten out of bed.
Just twenty or so yards away, I spotted the Black-crowned Night Heron hunched along the banks of the marsh.
The hunchback posture of this stocky gray and black bird is one of its characteristics.
So, too, are the long head plumes.
Overall, the heron seemed right at home with the ducks in its company.
Before leaving the marsh, as the sun was setting, I returned to see the young Great Blue Heron. Once again, it had posed perfectly still, a tranquil sight in the blue hour of night.
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