Blue Heron chicks released into wild

1

Coon Rapids, MN, USA — A young heron waits to be released back into the wild in Coon Rapids, Minn., on July 18, 2011. The refuge on Heron Island near North Mississippi Park, where the bird had been living was destroyed by a tornado on May 22, 2011. Between between 80 and 120 Great Blue Heron bird nests were located on the island refuge. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

2

Coon Rapids, MN, USA — A heron arrives at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park on July 18, 2011. The bird, along with seven others, was released on the shore of Cenaiko Lake in Coon Rapids, Minn. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

3

Coon Rapids, MN, USA — Park Ranger Sharon Stiteler watches as a young heron makes its way onto Cenaiko Lake in Coon Rapids, Minn., on July 18, 2011. After the tornado, rescuers delivered about ten chicks to the Wildlife Rehabilitation center -- some as young as one week old. Some were not old enough to eat solid food and had to be hand-fed a slurry made of fish. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

4

Coon Rapids, MN, USA — Almost two months after being rescued, a Great Blue Heron chick displaced by the north Minneapolis tornado is released back to the wild on July 18, 2011, in Coon Rapids, Minn., near the Mississippi River. Experts nursed the birds back to health and release the oldest and strongest ones back into the wild. Nearly two-months after the tornado, many of the birds have learned how to fish and fly. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo