The Great Blue Heron was inspired by the relatively large wading bird, commonly found in North and Central America. The name of this bird conjures an image of something of such immense size and, yet, unbelievable beauty and wonder. Something both terrifying and awe-inspiring.

Musically speaking, this work is an arabesque, a short, single movement containing ornamentation. This term is also used in art to describe works that contain two flowing, decorative motifs in the shape of "S" and "U".  In ballet, it is used to describe the shape and movement of a spiral. The gestures of this work follow the contour of these shapes and movements and embody the arabesque in all of these forms.