Digital Postcard Series: Wonders of the McKenzie Marsh, Aurora Marshland

Published
Digital Postcard #0001 (Photo no longer exists)

Facts About Great Blue Heron [Ardea herodias]

Two interesting facts about the Great Blue Heron's diet. In addition to fish, they also eat small animals and sometimes choke to death when it is too large to swallow. Their main diet is small fish in the small lakes, ponds, marshlands or wetlands. They also like to spend some time at fish farms, but it was found that they mainly consume sick fish which will eventually die.

Facts About McKenzie Marsh, Aurora, Ontario

Located in Aurora, Ontario, Canada [44°1'8"N 79°28'1"W] on St. John's Sideroad between Bayview Avenue and Yonge Street, McKenzie Marsh is a man-made pond that evolved into a beautiful marshland full of many different bird, animal and insect species, one of them - Great Blue Heron.

~ Anna




Comments

Ruth said…
Blue herons are a wonder. I didn't know they choke and die sometimes, wow. Your reflection image is gorgeous - those feathers make a very pretty skirt.
August 15, 2009 at 7:37 AM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Ruth, and yes blue herons are nice, a very still birds good for photographing. Yes I didn't know that too, that they can choke to death. And now that I think about it, I don't know if this note fits very well with my postcard, lol, lol. Kind of sad news. Anna :)
August 15, 2009 at 12:09 PM
kRiZcPEc said…
So this is your first in the series! Beautiful!
August 16, 2009 at 4:52 AM
S-V-H said…
Hi Anna,

thanks for this very informative post about the Blue Heron. I thought he eats only fish... :)

Susanne
Sue's Daily Photography
August 16, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Priyank said…
Nice one. How do they know which fish is the sick one I wonder! :)
August 16, 2009 at 6:38 PM
RW said…
Beautiful postcard Anna! I have seen them choke down mice before in the winter time when the river is frozen over. They are quite resilient and piss people off with coy ponds lol! :D
August 17, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Zbyszek said…
Piękny ptak i super zdjęcie. Jego odbicie w wodzie wygląda bardzo ciekawie. Pozdrawiam z Warmii:)
August 17, 2009 at 3:14 AM
Rajesh said…
It is a beautiful bird. The snap has been composed very nicely. The reflection in the water is lovely.
August 17, 2009 at 5:05 AM
Unknown said…
I didn't know that part about the Heron choking at times. Thanks for the info and that's a beautiful image Anna.
August 17, 2009 at 10:58 AM
lissa said…
great photo and I like the postcard idea and your photos certainly makes wonderful postcards
August 17, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Cheffie-Mom said…
Very interesting! I love the reflection!
August 17, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Anonymous said…
What a beautiful shot, it looks like a painting! Lovely postcard!
August 17, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Will said…
That is a great shot, Anna. I am always amazed when I see these huge birds flying. They look like something that would have lived with the dinosaurs!
August 18, 2009 at 12:19 AM
SAPhotographs (Joan) said…
What a wonderful post Anna. I wonder if they eat small frogs like ours do?

Stunning picture. I love the herons.
August 18, 2009 at 5:41 AM
Jay said…
What a beautiful photograph! I knew that they ate small animals - they have a reputation here for having a fondness for frogs! But I didn't know they sometimes choked to death. That's sad. Daft birds.
August 18, 2009 at 5:26 PM
John Maslowski said…
Truly a stunning capture of this beautiful Heron, Anna. Just love the perfect reflection. Gorgeous colors and amazing clarity as with all your images. Thanks for the interesting info on this wonderful bird.
August 18, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Bob Johnson said…
Very awesome image and great idea for a postcard Anna, I am going to have to look into doing something with all my 31,000 images besides printing them all out and hanging them in my den,lol.
August 18, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Marvin said…
Lovely! We have millions of those guys here. They are "groupies" for all the fishermen on the beach.
August 19, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Oswegan said…
Beautiful image Anna!
August 20, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Michael Harris Photography said…
Anna, Great post, I saw this guy in the Everglades last winter, guess he flew north for the summer, smart bird...love the reflection...
August 20, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Swubird said…
Anna:

That's one of the most beautiful postcards I have ever seen. Well done. Also, thanks for the tidbits of information about the Heron.

Happy trails.
August 20, 2009 at 1:27 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Yes kriz this is first one. Thanks, your kind comments are always appreciated. Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 1:42 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Hey Susanne I thought so too, lol. I guess not. Thanks for dropping by, hope your are enjoying your travels. Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 1:43 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Priyank, I think I re-call reading that the sick one's usually swim closer to the top and these are the one's he grabs first. Now you got me going, I better find out why the sick one is floating closer to the top, lol. Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 1:45 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Hey Roger you are my proof now, lol. I knew that eventually someone will agree with my facts, lol. Personally never seen them doing that, but seen them fish for fish, and it is fun. Thanks for your kind comment Roger. Hope your sun burn is healing, Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 1:46 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Zbyszek dziekuje, i ja pozdrawiam z Kanady.
Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 1:47 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Rajesh thank you so much for your kind comment. Soon as I saw heron in the water with the reflection, you should have been there to see me running, lol. It was great opportunity. Thanks again, Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 1:49 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Thomas. I didn't know either, but with the postcard series I want to provide some interesting facts that some may not know, it is too bad that it is about choking, lol. Thanks again for visiting, and hope you are doing fine my friend. Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 1:50 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Lissa, 999 of them to go, lol, to the retirement, lol. Kidding aside, its fun, after all I have thousands of images to play with. Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 1:51 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Cheffie-Mom thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!
Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 1:51 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks gabrielrobledoeng for your kind comment. Now that you said it, with the blurred background yes it does a bit looks like a painting. Thanks so much again, Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 1:52 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Will. You are so right about them flying, may be they are not that far from the prehistoric birds, lol. I saw one flying last night, it was cool, because seems like at night they fly lower to the ground. Amazing. Thanks again for your comment. Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 1:54 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Hey Joan if yours eat frogs, I am sure ours do to, we have plenty frogs here and plenty of herons too. Joan thanks for commenting and visiting again, appreciated. Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 1:56 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Jay thanks for commenting. Yes it is in fact sad fact about herons. May be next time I should take it easy on the sad stories with my photos, lol. Thanks again for your comment and visit, Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 1:58 PM
myonlyphoto said…
John as always, thank you so much for your very kind comment[s], especially from an amazing photographer as yourself. Thanks again my friend, and hope all is well. Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 1:59 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Hey Bob you can make postcards too, its not patented process, lol. Oh my my, your guests will be very happy - thousands of photos by Bob to choose from, lol. You are too funny, thanks for the laughs. Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 2:01 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Marvin we have them too, but not that much, lol. In fact I think their population declined a bit, I think may be because last year we had dry season and our pond was short of fish.

Thanks for commenting Marvin, appreciated.

Anna :)
August 20, 2009 at 2:03 PM
DigitalShutterMania said…
Anna,

I love this post card. Your photo and digital art work is excellent.

Cheers;
DSM
August 20, 2009 at 5:45 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Oswegan, and it is always nice to see you here. Anna :)
August 21, 2009 at 12:12 AM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Mike H. Yes they are nice birds. If you ever here their call, you will be surprised, they sound like fros, lol. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, appreciated. Anna :)
August 21, 2009 at 12:14 AM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Swubird, and thanks for the encouragement from previous post. Herons are interesting birds in deed. Thanks for dropping by, appreciated Swu. Anna :)
August 21, 2009 at 12:15 AM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks DSM, and thanks for your kind words. Hope all is well with you. Anna :)
August 21, 2009 at 12:16 AM
david mcmahon said…
That's a beautiful shot, Anna. Really tranquil.
August 21, 2009 at 3:19 AM
Robynn's Ravings said…
Congratulations of Post of the Day! But that pales in comparison to the FABULOUS art you created here. Blue Herons fascinate me. We have a small pond nearby and we are always excited when we spot one. They're huge. I had no idea they could choke to death on a fish, though. Beautiful image you captured!!
August 21, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Black Jack's Carol said…
Absolutely beautiful postcard, Anna! I notice your heron has a yellow bill, and showy plume feathers on its breast, a sign, I have read, of a male looking its best to attract a mate in breeding season.
August 21, 2009 at 11:44 AM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks David, appreciated. Anna :)
August 21, 2009 at 11:31 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Robynn thanks so much for dropping by, and letting me know about POD, wow, I will be going over to check it out. Yes herons are amazing large birds, and very interesting to watch. Oh sorry for misunderstanding, they actually choke on the small animals but not the fish. Thanks again for your kind comment, I will make sure I will visit your blog soon. Anna :)
August 21, 2009 at 11:34 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Carol for your kind comment. Hey thanks for the info, something I didn't know. Thanks again, Anna :)
August 21, 2009 at 11:35 PM
MedaM said…
Great post Anna, as usual. Your postcard is excellent. That is lovely blue heron and what a beautiful reflection in the water!
Have a nice weekend!
August 22, 2009 at 6:03 AM
Andrea said…
Great Picture!
I like very much this composition.
Natural and cristal clear.

Bye
August 22, 2009 at 6:50 AM
Max Coutinho said…
Hi Anna :D!

Such a gorgeous post-card: my, my, my...I love the reflection of the heron on the water (it makes it more mystical; and for us [mystic people] this image has a great significance)...well done :D!

I can't wait to see more of these post cards (since I know it will be a series of them, right?)...

Have a delightful weekend, my dear friend!

Cheers
August 23, 2009 at 2:04 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Medeam for your kind comment. I guess I have to say now, have a great week, thanks again, Anna :)
August 24, 2009 at 12:52 AM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Andrea!
It is nice of you to visit.
Anna :)
August 24, 2009 at 12:52 AM
myonlyphoto said…
Max, girl thanks so much for your kind words. I have to admit that I actually liked my end result. I cannot believe that week just past by, and I should be having one out this weekend, but I was going to the party, and guess what, I was baking. I now take the opportunities to bake for others, because my husband and Matthew cannot keep up with my baking experiments, lol. Max you have yourself a good weekend. Anna :)
August 24, 2009 at 12:55 AM
Peter said…
Hi Anna! In reflection I find this image just another great example of your marvellous talent, not just as a photographer but also as a lover of nature and all things great!

Take Care,
Peter
August 24, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Lynda Lehmann said…
What a wonderful digital postcard, Anna! Is this the first you've done? Can't wait to see more of the series.

Thanks for the info on the heron. We see them here in Maine, too. I guess the motto we can draw from this is that overeating KILLS!

I love your capture, the full bird and his reflection. I usually get them just flying out of camera range!
August 24, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Brian Miller said…
truly a beautiful shot!
August 24, 2009 at 9:05 PM
JRandSue said…
Great Blog,with fantastic Photography.
John.
August 25, 2009 at 4:35 AM
myonlyphoto said…
Peter, again I have to thank you for a so kind comment. They are always beautifully written. Anna :)
August 25, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Max Coutinho said…
Hey Anna,

It's my pleasure, darling :)!
You were baking? Will you be starting a baking business soon? You should think about it :D!

Have a great week, girl!

Cheers
August 25, 2009 at 2:04 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Lynda thank you so much for the complement, yes, more will be coming, just getting little behind again, lol. The 'overeating' KILLS, lol, so so true, you got it all right here, lol. Flying herons are actually interesting to photograph. I like to take photos of them in action, but looks like every time we visit the pond, it is their dinner. Thanks again for your visit Lynda knowing that you are busy lately, appreciated. Anna :)
August 25, 2009 at 6:09 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Brian, your comment is appreciated. BTW welcome to my blog, I will make sure to visit yours. Thanks again, Anna :)
August 25, 2009 at 6:10 PM
myonlyphoto said…
JRandSue thanks so much for your kind comment. Welcome to my blog, and I will visit your shortly. Anna :)
August 25, 2009 at 6:11 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Max me baking business, no no not yet, lol, I have been only in training since February, lol, but hey if someone asks, never know, may be I will bake - well then Max I think I will think about it, lol. Max thanks for your returning visit, appreciated my friend. Anna :)
August 25, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Peter said…
Hi! The treadmill gets a good workout here as well - good to see your man doing the same!
August 31, 2009 at 8:37 AM
myonlyphoto said…
Good for you Peter!
Thanks for dropping by.
Anna :)
September 4, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Anonymous said…
Your Great Blue Herons have a little more blue color than ours. Ours are a little more green. Old Duffer
http://oldduffersnaturecinema.blogspot.com
September 6, 2009 at 3:06 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Old Duffer for your comment. I will check your blog out now. Anna :)
September 12, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Max-e said…
Hi Anna. Nice photo. Thanks for all the visits and your comments. I have been in the doldrums and and am getting inspired to get back into blogging, so should be arpound more often.
October 8, 2009 at 3:45 PM
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Max-e, now that you start blogging again, I am falling behind, lol. Thanks for your visit and comment, it is always nice to see you back. Thanks again, and no problem visiting you, I always liked your blog. Anna :)
October 20, 2009 at 1:26 PM
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