Ungainly

A great blue heron is such an elegant bird. When he's standing still, posing, or stalking his prey.

Standing tall.

But when he decides it's time to leave, well ...

He starts off with a jump, toes splayed out.

Stretches out his neck, snake-like, dangles his skinny legs and messes up his wings. (Blurry photo, but I'd never noticed the black and white pattern on the exposed belly before.)

If you're close enough, you can hear those wings creaking. Needs oil.

All neck and wings.