Home»All Photographs»The Great Blue Herons

Ardea herodias fannini

The great blue heron is adapted for year round living along Puget Sound. It wades in shallow waters, forages in eelgrass meadows, hunts small mammals in fields, and nests in large shoreline trees. Great blue herons nest in groups called "heronries." Some heronry locations along the Sound include Samish Island, Camano Island, Fidalgo Island and Hartstene Island.

The large number of fish attracted to eelgrass meadows is the staple of the great blue heron diet. Many heronries are located next to eelgrass beds. These feeding areas are vital to the survival of the colonies. Great blue herons can be seen hunting in eelgrass meadows at Padilla Bay, Bellingham Bay, and Quilcene Bay.