Heron? need id Boulder County Gross Reservoir

Pieter Strauss

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Jun 5, 2019, 1:04:35 PM6/5/19

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Herons_crv_lvl_shrp_crop 05 06 2019_DSC8232.jpg

(Thought I posted this request before, but can't find it.)
These birds look fairly heron-like, but coloring and grouping don't seem to match.
On May 6th I saw a group of 6 of them flying west over Gross Reservoir at 6:45 a.m. A neighbor said he had seen them earlier perched in the tops of several trees, looking gawky and acting raucous.
We have double-crested Cormorants up here, but that's not what these are.
Any clues?

Pieter

Carl Bendorf

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Jun 5, 2019, 2:09:20 PM6/5/19

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The long neck that's folded back during flight is a good clue for Great Blue Heron. The dark color eliminates Great Egret.

Carl Bendorf

Longmont CO

Pieter Strauss

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Jun 5, 2019, 2:32:55 PM6/5/19

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How about that? I thought they were too dark. Many thanks!
--Pieter

On Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 11:04:35 AM UTC-6, Pieter Strauss wrote:

David Lawrance

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Jun 6, 2019, 8:39:30 AM6/6/19

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Just this week I've noticed about a 3x increase in number of herons, much more tree-perching, flying in pairs, and more frequent interactions at McIntosh Lake in Longmont There is a rookery at nearby Pella Crossing. Perhaps the herons are fledging?