Following the Heron’s Call

The call of the Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias) when they greet their mate at their nest has been described as a series of squawking “roh-roh-rohs”, also known as a landing call. This is a sound I’ve become familiar with while living in the Great Lakes basin, exploring riverbanks and marshes. This is a sound that makes me feel at home. When I timidly arrived in Idaho in early June, I knew I likely missed the heron breeding season, but that didn’t stop the bird from presenting me with my own “landing call”. 

Hi. My name is Dela, and I’m a recent University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate where I earned a dual degree in Environmental Studies and Science Communication. Here at the Henry’s Fork Foundation, I’m the 2025 Aquatic Ecology Intern. I’ll be spending my summer collecting water quality data in Island Park Reservoir and Harriman State Park. But today, I’d like to tell you a story about my first time on the ranch.  

It was a balmy Thursday as I loaded our field equipment into a drift boat with my supervisor Dr. Jack McLaren and fellow intern Teddy Montalvo. Curiosities ran rampant through my mind. Will I see a young trout fingerling? How swift is the flowing water? Which peaks are rising in the distance?  My mind felt as turbulent as the river as Jack pushed and pulled us over the rocks. The tumbling thoughts only increased until we passed Osborne Springs and there he stood: a Great Blue Heron.  

As we floated towards his home in the brush, he squawked and scrambled onward. Every couple of feet the watchful bird would notice us, fly ahead, and wait for us to meet him before repeating the pattern. My supervisor lightheartedly described this as awkward. I described it as beautiful. I admit, herons tend to move with a sort of clumsy grace that can seem eccentric to humans. That’s part of the reason why I love them. I couldn’t help but feel like this bird was a special gift, welcoming me to the West and showing me the way – giving me a unique “landing call”. 

In the weeks since this initial encounter, I’ve had the honor of witnessing these beautiful birds over and over again. Every Thursday, I head to the ranch. Every Thursday, I find a Great Blue Heron waiting for me. Maybe it’s a coincidence – perhaps we both simply enjoy perching near sagebrush and sunflowers. However, I can’t quite explain why they always appear when I need a moment of encouragement.  

As June fades into July, I look forward to more of these intimate moments getting to know Idaho’s many wild, living creatures. I can only imagine where the heron’s call will lead me next.