A heron belches, a seal goes free and native cactus starts to bloom

The Green Heron was belching full out this morning in the trees at the edge of the pond and marsh. There were two birds so perhaps this round of love burps is the real deal. I've noticed in the past that this species nests rather late, possibly in order to get past the crow fledging stage when the crow marauding activity is at its peak.

Below is a photo by Scott Joiner of yesterday's Gray Seal release. She doesn't look very lively but she is not exactly gazelle-like on land but rather galumphs forward on her belly (she did eventually make it to the water).

John Turner writes me that Gray Seals may already be breeding on Great Gull Island and are active off Plum Island (where I have seen them).

The other photo is a stand of Prickly Pear cactus coming into bloom. This was taken nearby; Prickly Pear is a native species on Long Island!

Eric Salzman