Looks Can Be Deceiving

  Very often critters can seem to be something other than what they are.  Besides mimicking other critters, they can "alter" their appearance to suit a need.  Some lizards can change colors to help them hide beneath leaves, snakes can flatten themselves to appear larger than they really are and some insects have large "eye" spots to give the idea that they are huge.  Usually, these are actions used to evade predators.  Not a bad idea at all when you think about it.  That said, looks can be deceiving.

  Then there are critters that do not change their appearance but still give us the idea that they are somewhat different than they really are.  Take, for instance, the Great Blue Heron.  The bird is huge.  It is one of the largest birds in North America standing up to nearly four feet tall and able to stretch up another six inches or so.  With its six foot wingspan, the bird is just as impressive in flight as it is standing.  BUT...all of that hugeness is deceptive indeed.  If you weigh the bird, you might be confused that it is a mere five to six pounds.  That is about the weight of your average grocery store chicken!  A Great Blue Heron sure looks a LOT bigger than any chicken!

  It is true that the heron is larger in some areas than a chicken...the legs, wings and neck are a lot longer..but the lack of weight is a result of its bones being hollow.  Those long spindly legs do not add a huge lot of weight to the bird.

  I watched a Great Blue Heron wade about the shallows as it was hunting for supper.  The setting sun cast a beautiful golden glow about the bird highlighting its gorgeous feathers.  The bird was decked out in its breeding plumage and was not beyond showing off a bit for the other herons in the area.  As I watched, I thought "Yep, Bird, you have them all fooled!"