Some beautiful pictures in this thread and particular thanks to the op, Steve, for his lovely heronry shots. I have added a few portraits. We have a nearby heronry and the birds often let me get pretty close.
This is Big Blue... the resident Great Blue on the pond (we also have other fun herons).
Not happy with the plant in front, but I was limited where I could stand.
After getting annoyed with my inching closer, he finally flew away and decided to perch on the pond drain.