Returned to the pond!

[elleng]

[Karadeniz]

1. Is this a heron or crane...or is there a difference?

[elleng]

2. Great Blue Heron.

'The easiest way to differentiate herons from cranes for identification purposes is to look at their necks. ... Herons curve their necks into an “S” shape and when they are flying they pull them totally back, while cranes necks' stick straight out. Cranes also have shorter beaks than herons.'

https://blog.nwf.org/2011/03/is-this-a-heron-egret-or-crane/#:~:text=The%20easiest%20way%20to%20differentiate,to%20look%20at%20their%20necks.&text=Herons%20curve%20their%20necks%20into,have%20shorter%20beaks%20than%20herons.

[Karadeniz]

3. Our rental house in Oxfordshire had an unused pond. We cleaned it out, put in water plants and koi.

We were so proud of the final product! Within days all the koi were gone, none! Someone told us they'd seen a blue heron. I couldn't fault the bird for seizing an opportunity, but couldn't figure out how anyone keeps a fish pond going!

[elleng]

4. WOW!

I guess should be away from places herons (and other birds of prey) frequent!