I know both of these birds have been back for a while now, but today when I was out at our effluent channel here at work I counted no fewer than 50 Great Blue Herons and another 20-25 Great Egrets. The Great Blue Herons were flying up from the shallow water, the shore, the trees, just everyplace. The Egrets were easy to see, even in the drab lighting, as they roosted in the trees and you couldn't miss their "whiteness" in the fog and mist shrouded air. Other than a rookery, I haven't seen this many together in one place before. I found it pretty amazing and quite a sight.
It seems the majority of the ducks must be through as I am seeing only regulars now on the effluent channel. Today only Wood ducks and Mallards and a couple of Coot. Mike Elling At work in Ramsey County just downriver from downtown St. Paul