This is such an old thread, I hope someone interested in herons still will see it. We’re in Texas, a few miles from a marsh preserve. First time in 15 years, a juvenile Yellow Crowned Night heron visited our pool/spa last week. She was here for a few days. She flew in again today. She likes to sit in the spa - it’s quite amusing. She sits with water up to her shoulders and dunks her head. The water is probably over 95 degrees, as today’s temp is 100, with feels like temp of 108. My worry is that she may not be eating enough to nourish her. We of course have no fish or crustaceans for her. We do have small lizards, some toads, frogs, and field rats. The rats run the fences, sometimes climb adjacent tree, forage flower beds and gardens. Every night I see what I tell myself is the same rat, ‘running the fences’. For many years there was a very large field one street over; now it is just large. Is anyone aware of herons feeding on rats? I wouldn’t worry about her so much if she was capable of catching those fast little critters. A couple of those per night would be a good meal, I would think. Oh, we also have opossums that come in baby season. Baby possums would also make a good meal for the heron. I have seen them swimming on the baby ledge of our pool. That was crazy. Seems the wildlife uses our pool more than we do these days.

That name may just be the anglicized form of the original Japanese cultivar name. Many of these selections have been around for years but not necessarily widely available in the US. If you are interested in Japanese iris, I'd recommend checking out Ensata Gardens for a really impressive selection. Prices are much better than WFF as well. Here is a link that might be useful: Ensata Gardens

I'm South Jersey- We just upgraded from 3 small preformed ponds too a 11x21.5ft pond 2 weeks ago, while we were digging the hole 2 herons flew over each night-like they knew what we were doing -but we figured because we have outside cats wondering around and a couple dogs in and out , we wouldnt have to worry about our fish....Not so . This past Sunday morning I noticed 2 of my big shubunkins where gone and a few little fish. A small turtle and 2 dozen minnows we had kept in one of the small preformed ponds...I thought coon, cat or those Heron's..we suspected it was a heron- so last night we put up string, criss crossed etc. because that is what we use too keep the geese and swans out of the bogs because they do alot of damage too the cranberry vines on the farm, in the fall and winter- I also put a blueish grey pelican statue about 3 ft high along side my pond Sunday evening that my dad gave me. No fish were missing Monday morning and none today , however my neighbor called at 6 am this morning because there was a Heron sitting on the peak of our roof...but by the time we got out there he was gone.at least we know what we are dealing with.so whether it's the string, or the pelican statue (the statue was there before the string) keeping him at bay I dont know but am hoping he just finds a new place for breakfast...we are only a couple hundred yards from a creek that goes into a lake and why he would rather eat my poor fish -then get some good crayfish and catfish out of the lake is beside me. I was sick to my stomach all that hard work building a beautiful pond for a lousy bird too come ruin it, but hopefully now we have it under control. Will let you know if he comes back to visit.

LOL, squirrel, they REALLY are that tall. I am thrilled that they worked out, as they are my colors, to be sure. I have just returned from a tiny rural accessory shop here in Maine, and have a few great finds...One is a antique tole tray with berries that I have loved for as long as I have seen it in her shop, and she went WAY down on the price for me, and I didn't even ask! It is all hand-painted and you can see each brush stroke. It has berries that look like ripening pyracantha berries. amck, I bought the print JUST like that, matted and framed. It came from the House of Lights in Scarborough, ME. Their number is (800) 644-0174. They aren't open Sunday but they have a sale each Sept. on stock items and special orders. I got it probably 3 years ago, and haven't seen one there since, but they do seem to have other prints from that company, and may be able to order you one. A label on the back reads - Order 00049370, Prod no. AL005. Description Great Blue Heron. Good luck finding it - it's beautiful!