They can turn on a dime in flight but Great Blue Herons more often fly in graceful arcs, lining up with their landing target well in advance of the actual touch down.

I’ve often thought that they might just enjoy the flight as they cruise over the pond. It looks almost effortless.

Banking just a little to avoid a nearby island.

A perfect landing. Well, there was a face full of branches but the herons just ignore those.

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