Look at those feet! This great blue heron had been wading along the shoreline not too far away when it decided to fly to the other side of the lake. I captured a few frames as it flew away, and while reviewing the images later, I was struck by the size of its feet and toes! Further research led me to the fact that Great Blue Herons have pectinate toes. Huh? . . .

A great blue heron takes off from along the Fox River in Kane County, Illinois earlier this Spring. Although great blue herons are a common sight, the really are a beautiful and colorful bird . . .