When I walk down the trail along the Cottekill swamp a flying blue heron is a fairly common sight. I might initially glimpse one sitting on a limb or a fallen tree but once the bird sees me it usually takes off. They are very shy. I've exaggerated the bird's blue coloring in this painting. The true color is more subtle, more of a gray, better camouflage. To me they remain a startling sight when they fly off. They are large and ungainly and their long thin legs stretch far out behind them. Beautiful nonetheless.

Snakes live along the swamp's edge. They can be big and startling as they slither quickly into the water. Even shyer, I think, than the herons. Maggie is intrigued but I quickly shoo her away. I haven't learned yet which snakes are poisonous. Since it's early in a cold spring there's not too much growing yet. Mostly just the gorgeous emerald swamp cabbage.

This painting measures 7 x 9 inches (15 x 23cm).
It's available in my shop here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/276304442/original-watercolor-blue-heron-blue?ref=shop_home_listings
Prints of this painting are available here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/290195037/art-print-original-watercolor-blue-heron?ref=shop_home_listings