Stearns blue heron

This great blue heron stopped for a breather on Rainy Lake in early May. These majestic birds are a relatively common sight around our waterways and are known for their elegant movement and unique posture while in flight. According to Canadian Geographic magazine, the great blue heron can fly at speeds of up to 55 km/h and have an average lifespan of 15 years in the wild.
-Devon Stearns photo