A while back someone?reported?(s)he saw what?(s)he believed to be a large flock
of great blue herons riding an updraft high in the sky.?? There was speculation
in the follow-up discussion that the birds were not great blue herons but some
sort of raptor, like a turkey buzzard.

On 7-5-10, I witnessed a similar occurance in Edmonds.? Around sunset a?flock of
eleven great blue herons gliding over Puget Sound approached?Edmonds from the
north.? The flock glided over the ferry dock, made a 180* circle, and came to
roost on the roof of the enclosed pedestrian walkway?from the ferry terminal to
the ferry.?


I?have been under the impression that great blue herons do not like to be in
close proximity to one another.?? I have?never seen?them flying together in
a?group other than when they simultaneously take off from the marsh at the sight
of an eagle.??


The?pedestrian walkway is not a regular great blue heron perch like the marina
roofs a little further to the south.???The sight was very impressive for both
the number of herons and the fact that I never saw them flap their wings until
they made the turn.? Their approach was one long glide.


Even though I accidentally had my camera on the wrong setting for the rapidly
receding light, I was still able to get some good photos.
Bill Anderson; Edmonds, WA.