Great blue herons

While visiting Victoria BC I went to Beacon Hill Park. It is a very beautifull park. I was walking around a pond trying to find some great blue herons, when I ran across momma raccoon and three young.

They nosed around and scared the ducks away

They didn't seem to be stockingt the ducks. The ducks just stayed out of their way. The finally swam away to a small island.

Also saw a peacock just wandering around.

There were turtles

and sun fish.

Lots of ducks

But the main thing for me was the great blue herons. They come to the park to nest.

Since I was a kid in Ontario I have been fasinated by these big birds. We didn't see them very often so seeing all these birds in one place was a real thrill for me. I will be sure to take a trip to Victoria next year.

I was lucky the first day I saw them as they were on the ground by the pond.

In the following couple of days I visited the park they were all up in the trees

If you look closly, in this photo you can see two young ones still in the nest.
The photo below is a very light colored duck. There were three or four of these birds in and around the pond. I have never seen one like this.  All in all a great visit to Beacan Hill Park. If you visit this park remember not to disturb the birds.