All About Birds states:

Whether poised at a river bend or cruising the coastline with slow, deep wingbeats, the Great Blue Heron is a majestic sight. This stately heron with its subtle blue-gray plumage often stands motionless as it scans for prey or wades belly deep with long, deliberate steps. They may move slowly, but Great Blue Herons can strike like lightning to grab a fish or snap up a gopher. In flight, look for this widespread heron’s tucked-in neck and long legs trailing out behind.

Juvenile Great Blue Herons are medium-gray like the adult, but have two-toned bills and a streaked neck. Impressive birds, Great Blues stand about 4 feet high and have a wing span of about 6 feet. The first set of pictures was taken from the kayak in a friend’s wetlands.  The heron seemed oblivious to my presence, and I watched as it flew in fairly close to me and began to feed on the many small fish.

This photo shows the streaked chest and light rusty spots like head lights at the front of the outstretched wings.

Great Blue Herons fly with their necks curved into an S-shape, and their wings are also two-toned, light and dark.

Coming in for a landing!

Putting on the brakes!

Made it!  The next set of pictures are from the lake at Montour Preserve, taken this morning, again from the kayak in the morning sun.  This bird saw me coming and didn’t let me get quite as close.

This young Great Blue Heron has places to go!

Note the lower yellow bill and the upper black bill.  The chest is streaked with gray.

Ready for take off!  What a beautiful sight!