Herons and other wading birds are among the closets things we still have to dinosaurs. Stalking amongst the reeds, their slender stabbing beaks and intense eyes can stir both admiration and a primal fear.

But they’re an incredible bioindicator of a healthy ecosystem. Their presence in our wetlands and along the shores of our lakes and ponds demonstrates a healthy and thriving food web. The city is learning with each passing year just how important those wetlands and shores are. Climate changes continues its relentless march, leaving us to battle higher storm surges and more relentless rain. The key to surviving both lies in these bird’s habitats— making their survival intimately intertwined with our own.

Explore the images below to meet more of our wading and shore birds.