In 2000 when I moved our house on Back River in Wiscasset, there was a Great Blue Heron Rookery a mile down the river on Berry Island. Even though I wasn’t a crazy birder at that time, a regular part of our evening boat trips was cruising around the island to watch the GBHs come in a perch at the top of the trees.

Suddenly about 10 years ago . . . the Rookery disappeared. Perhaps because of predators . . . maybe disease . . . but suddenly it was gone.

Then last winter I was told that it had moved a couple miles up the river . . . on top of a railroad trestle.

So yesterday Ingrid and I celebrated July 4th by visiting the Great Blue Heron Rookery.

What an experience.