A big bird, and not on Sesame Street

Joan Sayer of Johnstown recently sent us these photos of a large water bird, which appears to be a great blue heron, visiting the Hale Creek, which runs past her home. I live around the corner from Joan, and the same creek flows past my backyard, but I didn't catch a look at the heron there.
I have, however, seen a similar bird flying in and around creekbeds in Gloversville on two occasions, both just after dawn in late summer — once near the Caboose on West Fulton Street, and once between the Rail Trail and the old Manor House restaurant.
I'm no ornithologist, so I can't tell you how rare it is to sight one of these creatures in our area, but I recall my reaction to seeing it (both times) was along the lines of "Whoa! That thing's huge!" Furthermore, the recollection brings to mind one of my favorite poems with a local connection, "A Bird at the Leather Mill" by Joshua Mehigan. The copyright police would surely come after me if I were to publish the poem here, so you'll have to click on the link to read it ...

Readers are always welcome to e-mail me their photos and video of footage of strange animal sightings — great blue herons, pink squirrels, loose moose, sasquatch on a skateboard, you name it. Drop me a line at backerbauer@leaderherald.com.

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