Marie Read / Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) in breeding plumage, head and shoulders showing plumes on crown and neck, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, New York, USA, May.

John Chan / Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) predating a Smelt (Osmeridae), Southern California, USA, October.

John Chan / Juvenile Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) predating a twig , learning stalking and hunting skills, Southern California, USA, July.

John Chan / Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) chick begging to be fed, Southern California, USA, April.

Claudio Contreras / Waterfowl at dawn with mist, including Great blue heron (Ardea herodias herodias), American avocet (Recurvirostra americana), Northern shoveler (Anas clypeata), Xochimilco wetlands, Mexico City, Mexic...

Tui De Roy / Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), hunting newly-hatched Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), Punta Espinosa, Fernandina Island, Ecuador

Rob Tilley / Detail of plumage of Great White Egret / Heron (Ardea herodia occidentalis). Ding Darling Reserve, Florida, January.

Diane McAllister / Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) landing with branch for its mate, who is constructing their nest on a treetop. Venice Rookery, Florida, USA, January

Pete Oxford / Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) portrait, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands

Tui De Roy / Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) portrait, Academy Bay, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Tim Fitzharris / Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) striking at a fish, North America

Tom Vezo / Great blue heron {Ardea herodias} pair in courtship display on nest, Texas, USA