TORONTO -- Most migrating birds have headed south by mid-November, which is why two good friends were concerned when they saw a great blue heron in distress.
Allison Prentice and Guy Kinney were taking wildlife photographs in Airdrie, Alta. when they noticed the large, blue bird. The heron鈥檚 feathers were packed with snow and ice.
鈥淚t looked like it tried to jump up and fly but couldn't,鈥� Kinney told 麻豆影视 Calgary. 鈥淚 could see something as it's turned on its breast and it turned out to be a great big ice cube.鈥�
The great blue heron is the largest of its species in North America, and they鈥檙e quite common to spot in Canada during the summer.
But as the rivers and lakes freeze over, these birds typically migrate south for the winter. Spotting a great blue heron this late in the year is very rare.
鈥淚 doubt (she) would have made it, this particular one. I rescued a few others, this by far was the most injured,鈥� Prentice said.
Both Prentice and Kinney agreed that they had to capture the bird in order for it to survive. Prentice said it was 鈥渞eally surprising鈥� that the injured bird didn鈥檛 attempt to fly away from them.
The couple took the injured bird to a Madden, Alta., conservation centre and were told they鈥檇 nabbed the bird in the nick of time. According to staff, the female bird was suffering from severe hypothermia.
If she hadn鈥檛 been brought in, 鈥渟he likely would have died,鈥� Erin Caspar, manager of the Alberta Institute For Wildlife Conservation Rehabilitation, told 麻豆影视 Calgary.
The bird spent a week recovering at the centre and spent time in an incubator. Once forecast temperatures were mild enough, the decision was made to release her in Calgary.
The nature photographers were there for the send-off.
鈥淚 would be fibbing if I said that didn't bring a couple of tears to watch [her] glide [away],鈥� Prentice admitted.
She beamed at the thought that the great blue heron had sunny skies the day she began her journey south.
