Great blue heron fledglings (Ardea herodias) yesterday at CREW flint pen strand in Bonita Springs, Florida (8-14-26) AB @atlanticbirding.bsky.social says today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #50ShadesOfGrey: birds with grey plumage. Alt. is #Fledglings: any newly fledged bird.

A large juvenile Great Blue Heron perched on a sturdy branch within a nest built high up in a sand pine tree. The heron faces left with its dagger-like beak open, revealing its pale tongue against a backdrop of a bright, clear blue sky. Crisp green pine needles frame the bird from the foreground and sides, partially obscuring a second, lower heron nestled quietly within the twigs of the nest structure.