Tweets -

On the way to work this morning, I spotted a GBH that seemed to be rather
discombobulated. Or rather, what I highly suspect to be a Great Blue
Heron, but in a coloration I've never seen before.

I was in Ballard, driving east on 65th, at about 20th when the GBH flew by
ahead of me. It landed rather awkwardly on the roof of a 2-story
apartment building. I pulled over to get a better look at it, but the
light was horrid (and I was late for work!). It seemed to be all darkish
brown, with light tan splotches (feather ends/edges?) scattered through
its ruffled and ragged feathers. It seemed disturbed and uncomfortable -
was constantly shuffling and resettlings wings. It obviously did not like
the gutter, as every time its foot hit that it did a little nervous 'hop'
and had to resettle itself again.

The head/neck looked to be GBH size/shape. As did legs. This bird had
more tail than I'd ever seen on a GBH, though. Broad and big and visible
behind the legs - not very long, though. And definitely lighter tan color
on those 'tail' feathers. Could I have been seeing ends of the wings
folded back over itself? It never did stretch its wings out, after it
landed.

After a few minutes of observing, I had to hustle on my way.

Susan Collicott
Sunset Hill neighborhood
Seattle, WA