Great Blue Heron 16x24 from Fred Lord Photography.Great Blue Heron against winter cattail stalks in Bosqu del Apache, New Mexico.Common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North and Central America.It is the largest North American heron and a common sight throughout the continent.Great blue herons rarely venture far from bodies of water, but are occasionally seen flying over upland areas.They usually nest in trees or bushes near water's edge, often on islands.