Bird of the week 2024 | Great blue heron

Great blue heron [MichaelWarren.com]
Great blue heron
The Great blue heron, standing up to 4 feet tall, is the largest and most widespread heron in North America. Its wingspan stretches up to 7 feet across. Their plumes were once highly prized hat decorations, which led to them being hunted nearly to extinction in the early 20th century. This one was photographed at Shalom Park in Ocala.