By Jason Reedy

Though the winter is deep upon us and the air is unable to shake the frost from it’s grasp, there is still plenty of wildlife to appreciate along the Creeper. All that continue a normal existence in the freezing cold temperatures of winter are tougher than most, but there is one in particular that takes being cool to a whole new level. The Great Blue Heron, known to locals as the “River Crane”, wades through the ice encrusted waters of the Holston river daily.

The Great Blue Heron is indeed a survivor. The species stretches over most of North and Central America, into the West Indies and the Galapagos Islands. The only climates that you will not find it in are areas where there is little or no water to feed in.

It is the largest North American heron, also one of the largest species of heron in the world with a wingspan of nearly 6 feet. Despite it’s size it still weighs in at only 8 lbs.

Visually, the Great Blue is stunning to observe. Covered in it’s namesake blueish gray feathers, it also features black flight feathers and dark stripes on its flanks. The head is a pale gray with a white face, with a gray neck streaked with black and white. The bill and legs are normally a dull yellow, although they turn a brilliant orange during the breeding season. In some parts of the country, this particular species is almost pure white, and is known as The Great White Heron. Although this distinction is rare in our area, it can lead to some confusion with the Great White Egret, which also frequents the local waterways. The Great White is a picture of grace and elegance, striding carefully through the waters in search of their next meal. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of their voice, which comes out as a harsh croak.

The Great Blue lives almost all of its life along bodies of water, which makes spotting them in our area rather easy. They nest in trees near the rivers that criss-cross the trails, although they have been known to simply live in a dense collection of bushes if the area is less traveled.

Being long of leg, these water striders can take advantage of feeding areas not open to many other animals in the area. They feed on small fish, primarily, but can also eat shellfish, insects, amphibians, reptiles and other small creatures. Dawn and dusk are primary feeding times for the Great Blue, which hunts by sight. By standing still in the water and waiting for prey to come to it, the Great Blue is a model of efficiency, expending energy only to spear its meal with its long bill.

While the Creeper is known for an abundance of wildlife, both furred and feathered, be sure to check the waterways for this majestic bird, as not all winged creatures reside in the skies.