Wandering their way South

My favorite wading birds are the herons and egrets. While the Great Egret keeps me company more days than not, once the cold begins to settle in, they head south. On the other hand, Great Blue Herons will often try to hang on into latest of winter, and even overwinter if they have open water. Along my path to work, I see this heron nearly everyday in the same pond that I pass everyday to and from work. It isn't until the pond freezes over solid that this guy disappears for a month or two and then returns as early as possible in the Spring.