Great Blue Heron, Ruffled Feathers

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Great blue herons are the largest heron native to North America. I photographed ths one on a beach in southern Florida. They are found throughout most of North America, as far north as Alaska and the southern Canadian provinces in the summer. In winter, the range extends south through Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean to far northwestern South America. Some remain through cold northern winters, but only if fish-bearing waters remain unfrozen. That can happen in flowing waters such as streams, creeks, and rivers.