Laying down On The Job

Well everyone knows that a nice bunch of matted down dried reeds makes a comfy spot to lay around on and enjoy the warm sun.

And, as expected, this young alligator was out Wed. afternoon taking advantage of the whole situation. What we did not expect, or remember even seeing before, was a great blue heron laying down on the job. Herons like this are wading birds! If they are not flying they are standing…always…standing. They stand when fishing and even when relaxing they just stand around and watch the world go by.

But this blue heron must have decided that the alligators have the right idea and why should they have all fun?! This particular heron was going to lay right down like he was a nesting chicken and simply enjoy the day.

Well all righty then!

14 thoughts on “Laying down On The Job”

transplantedtatar on October 16, 2015 at 10:35 pm said:

Sneaky both of them! I love the texture of both photos.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 16, 2015 at 11:40 pm said:
  
  Thanks much for looking! They can be sneaky out there for sure, but it’s especially funny to see that big bird laying down.
  
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Mike Powell on October 17, 2015 at 5:58 am said:

Wow. We don’t have alligators where I live, but do have lots of Great Blue Herons. I’ve spent lots of hours observing the herons and can’t say that I have ever seen one assume that position. It’s always wonderful to be able to catch a familiar subject doing something unusual.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 17, 2015 at 9:48 pm said:
  
  You hit the nail right on the head Mike. That’s a large part of the fun in it, when you can find some critter you see all the time behaving totally unusual.
  
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foxleylady on October 17, 2015 at 6:23 am said:

Was the heron ok? Often when an animal or bird does something unusual, it can be the sign of a problem. I hope not, GBHs are such a favourite!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 17, 2015 at 9:50 pm said:
  
  Funny you mention that, we suspected he might have a hurt foot, so it’s possible he was giving it a rest. Always love seeing the GBH in any case, they are fun, interesting birds.
  
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Inger on October 17, 2015 at 1:53 pm said:

That blue heron got it right! Live life comfortably:)

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- Phil Lanoue on October 17, 2015 at 9:51 pm said:
  
  Oh exactly right! Normally it’s the alligators that spend so much of their time relaxing in the sun, nice to see the GBH on vacation.
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on October 17, 2015 at 3:04 pm said:

I don’t believe I have ever seen behavior like that from a heron, that really captures my curiosity.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 17, 2015 at 9:52 pm said:
  
  We were all saying it was the first time we have ever seen a GBH laying down like that. Never know what you might find out there.
  
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Gunta on October 17, 2015 at 4:08 pm said:

Those long skinny legs surely must get tired now and again.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 17, 2015 at 9:53 pm said:
  
  Yeah I would think so, my legs would hurt from so much standing.
  
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Birder's Journey on October 17, 2015 at 10:46 pm said:

Haha. What a fun sight to see!!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 18, 2015 at 11:04 am said:
  
  I’m not even sure how he managed to fold up those long stick legs and get himself all snuggled down in there. 🙂
  
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