K & P Fauna - GREAT BLUE HERON Traditional Cache
K & P Fauna - GREAT BLUE HERON
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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ABOUT THESE CACHES:
We so enjoyed putting out the K & P Ticket series, that we thought we would continue along the trail. This time, the theme is the fauna. If you see any of the animals, birds or reptiles mentioned, please feel free to take pictures and post them at the appropriate cache – but please, for a change, NO PHOTOS OF EACH CACHE (sure, the log if you have to).
BIKING is possible for the whole trail, though one little section (near White Tailed Deer) is rough, so you may need to walk it – depending on your bike tire size. This trail is NOT recommended for thin tires!
If you don’t see any fauna, then you are caching way too fast! Enjoy the ride and enjoy the habitat of so many little and big “critters”.
BONUS: At each cache in this “Fauna” series, check for a clue for two more bonus caches (GC4M5RT “K & P Fauna – BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEE, and GC4M572, “K & P Fauna – RACCOON”). Make sure to keep a note of each clue (bring paper/pen maybe?).
GREAT BLUE HERON
Whether poised at a river bend or cruising the coastline with slow, deep wingbeats, the Great Blue Heron is a majestic sight. This stately heron with its subtle blue-gray plumage often stands motionless as it scans for prey or wades belly deep with long, deliberate steps. They may move slowly, but Great Blue Herons can strike like lightning to grab a fish or snap up a gopher. In flight, look for this widespread heron’s tucked-in neck and long legs trailing out behind.
It is the largest of the North American herons with long legs, a sinuous neck, and thick, daggerlike bill. Head, chest, and wing plumes give it a shaggy appearance. In flight, the Great Blue Heron curls its neck into a tight “S” shape; its wings are broad and rounded and its legs trail well beyond the tail.
Great Blue Herons appear blue-gray from a distance, with a wide black stripe over the eye. In flight, the upper side of the wing is two-toned: pale on the forewing and darker on the flight feathers. A pure white subspecies occurs in coastal southern Florida.
Hunting Great Blue Herons wade slowly or stand statue-like, stalking fish and other prey in shallow water or open fields. Watch for the lightning-fast thrust of the neck and head as they stab with their strong bills. Their very slow wingbeats, tucked-in neck and trailing legs create an unmistakable image in flight.
Look for Great Blue Herons in saltwater and freshwater habitats, from open coasts, marshes, sloughs, riverbanks, and lakes to backyard goldfish ponds. They also forage in grasslands and agricultural fields. Breeding birds gather in colonies or “heronries” to build stick nests high off the ground.
PARKING: The trail for these caches is on a 6 km stretch between Ferguslea Road near Hwy 132 (N45 26.028 W76 44.676 – the posted Coordinates for CHICKADEE) and a cross over at Pucker St. (N45 22.813 W76 45.118 – the posted coordinates for RACCOON). You may park at either end but the parking at Ferguslea is much better as there is more room for vehicles. In summer bring bug juice and water!
Additional Hints
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Treasures
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