Returned to the pond!

[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.