The Great Blue Heron is the largest wading bird in North America. They have blue-gray markings with black tail, shoulder patch and streak above the eye. They have a yellow bill and eyes. They can be up to three and half feet tall with a wing span up to six feet, weighing only five to six pounds. Great Blue Herons live in both freshwater and saltwater habitats, fishing for crustaceans or in grasslands and fields, where they hunt for small mammals or frogs. They usually forage alone. Great blue herons can hunt day or night because they have a high percentage of rod-type photoreceptors, which improve their night vision. They will often stands motionless scanning for prey or wade belly deep with long, deliberate steps. They strike very fast with their dagger-like bill to snatch a fish or rodent. In flight their long neck is tucked in while their feet are trailing out. I have seen Great Blue Herons at many water places including ponds, lakes, woodland tanks, and sea islands. We have had a GBH in our neighborhood off and on for four years, always alone and by water.