Heron at close quarters

I don't know who was more surprised but I disturbed a heron actually in the moat and it flew up almost brushing my face with its wings. This is the first time I have seen a heron in the moat and comes just two weeks after I saw one on the ground for the first time. The size of this bird close up is stunning. Its presence may be related to the appearance of hundreds of fish in the moat - I had not seen any fish in the moat before this year. I am assuming they are minnows but I haven't netted one yet to check.