G. B. H. tending her nest.

This great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is nesting high in a cottonwood on the riverbank, but near Kingfisher Pond, where the hunting is probably better. This is a solitary nest. I suspect that supportive habitat is too sparse

in the desert for a large rookery.

For half an hour I waited on ma heron for a better shot, thinking that sooner or later she would have to stand and stretch, maybe grab a snack, but she stayed put. Anyone who has ever watched a heron stalking prey knows how patient and still they can be. Maybe I’ll try again when her chicks have hatched.