[AlArchie]

Dave, if you can't find that line drawing I sent you, I may be able to find it again, but I forgot where I put the darn thing..CRS!

Al

[Whiskers]

I just wanted to say thanks to all for the response, for this I am greatful, it goes to show you that there are people that are willing to help and share there idea's and knowledge with others you don't even know, again many thanks. Geeeez enough of the mushy stuff already. Hi_Ho I appreciate the offer of the drawings, I would be more than happy to compensate you for the postage and the drawings and for your troubles. Just about every day on my way home from work (I live by a large creek and the Ohio river) I see a heron I don't know what kind it is and I can't get close enough to him to ask, every time I get pretty close he evacuates the area so I guess I'm gonna have to call the wildlife department to see what kind of heron's are in my area.

[Whiskers]

Hi_Ho

I will e-mail you my address

Thanks Whiskers

[AlArchie]

Whiskers, even if you can't get close, if that bird is about 4 to 5 feet tall and not white, it's most likely a great blue. They are quite common in your area. There is a close relative that is all white, and (surprise) it's called the great white heron. Egrets are similar, but have dark brown or black legs, where the white herons have yellow legs and bills. The other herons you may see are quite a bit smaller, around 18 to 36 inches tall, and with somewhat shorter legs in comparison to body size, and even then they are mostly found along the gulf coast and southern states. Night herons may show up occasionally, but they ain't called night herons for nothing, and the bitterns (shidepokes) are more secretive and not seen to fly very often. They usually take cover in tall grass and fly only if flushed and then, low flights into more brushy cover.

Al

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by AlArchie

Dave, if you can't find that line drawing I sent you, I may be able to find it again, but I forgot where I put the darn thing..CRS!

Al

I know Al, I think there was some on the drawings you sent and I caught it! LOL I have the same problem about finding the things

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

As I said in my first response post, I did a google search for pictures, and was amazed at the diffferent varieties of heron's..there is a green heron I think I will do someday.....the book I mentioned has several varieties and a web search will give you more information than you wanted to know LOL As for paying, you will find some of the most generous people anywhere on here and if they have a plan or drawing etc....they will send it....thats the way I received them and thats the way I will pass them on

[AlArchie]

One other possibility, Whiskers, and that is that the bird you see might be a sandhill crane......same size as the blue heron and maybe a bit taller. In flight they are easy to tell apart....the herons fly with their necks pulled back into an "S" and the cranes fly with them stretched straight out, like a goose, only a lot longer.

Al

[Whiskers]

Hey Al and Hi_Ho

I believe I am seeing a great blue by the descriptions you have given, the bird I've been spyin on is about 4 to 5 feet tall and when he flies his neck is pulled back like you said in a "s" shape. I lived in south Georgia for awhile the Egrets were every where especially in the cow pastures some of em were hitch hiken on the cows. I have also seen the sandhill cranes in this area, I didn't know the difference between the cranes and the herons I thought I was lookin at the same bird. I have to agree with Hi_Ho about the generosity of the people on this board, everyone seems to be genuinly anxious to help out in some way, I wish I were more knowledgable so I could do more, maybe some more experience and practice and I'll be able to contribute in some way. I too will be more than happy to share my patterns if I have any that some one needs.

Hi_Ho how may I contact you?

Thanks all
Whiskers

[Donna_T]

Hi Whiskers,

If Dave (HI HO) doesn't find the pattern I sent him, holler at me and I'll dig it out again and mail a copy to you.I've gotten 2-3 resource books on them along the way and I can list them if you still need more. And I still have a paint chart on them, too (although I think Dave did a better job on his than I did on mine!)

The great blues are awesome things to watch as they fly--great lumbering wings with their necks all crooked back and tucked in. I love to watch them wading along at water's edge looking for goodies.

They are awesome birds to carve--and you can make them "slicks" and just paint on the feathers or do the whole nine yards and feather and burn them before painting.

Donna T

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

thanks Al and Donna....I am going to see if I can find everything, if not will let you know...as I told whiskers..after I finish a project, the papers etc seem to have legs and go their separate ways LOL....