Great Blue Heron

I went for a walk in Crosswinds Marsh, but I underestimated how hot and humid it would be, so it was a short visit. I wasn’t the only one in the park that was miserable. This Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) was exhibiting behavior called gular fluttering in an attempt to cool down. The bird was opening its mouth while pulsating its neck muscles to promote heat loss. It is the avian version of panting. This is the first time I have managed to photograph a heron’s tongue.