Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodius

Size: 42-52"

Habitat: in and around water

Notes:
These large and majestic birds may be seen wading in the shallows, hunting fish and frogs. They are not as uncommon as you might think but watch from a distance as they do not like to be approached.



Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron

Similar but smaller all-white egrets are actually quite common. Night Herons, smaller and usually dark green or brown, prowl around boat docks and tidal flats in the dark.

White Egret
White Egret
Night Heron
Night Heron ( the neck is long, but this is normally not evident. )

Tunas

by Bruce Freeman

Six of the world's 13 tuna species occur off New Jersey each year. Among the most beautiful and powerful of sea creatures, the tops of their heads and their upper backs are either solid or wavy lines of dark, lustrous, metallic blue. Their sides are silver or silver-gray, often with silvery spots, bands, and iridescent hues of purple, pink and gold and silvery-white on the belly. Most young tunas have striking vertical bars along the body flanks, although these disappear with age. The beautiful coloration and patterns serve as camouflage.