Heron on KoA cover?

[readsintrees.livejournal.com]

I notice that on the newest cover for The King of Attolia, there's a tree with a heron perched in it. Can anyone remind me of the significance of this? All of the over new covers have little images that I can immediately place, but I can't recall a heron in this book. 

<Fine minute later update> Oh my gods, clearly I'm still too pre-coffee. I could have taken two seconds to Google this, right?

“The queen was settling on the edge of the bed, ungainly with hesitation and at the same time exquisite in her grace, like a heron landing in a treetop.”

Nevermind, answered my own question. But I guess I'll still leave this post up anyway to spur a different discussion: What are your favorite little "nods" from the book covers, any edition?

Comments

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

I was going to answer your question, but then I was like... give it five minutes. XD

I know some people don't like these covers, but you gotta respect the mad attention to detail. I like the pigeons on CoK, and the board nailed between the two trees on QoA.

[(Anonymous)]

The scene that comes to my mind, is when after the assassination attempt Gen and Irene quarrel with each other then Gen has a mightmare. I do not have the book with me right now, but I think that Attolia comes into the room and hesitatingly sits on the side of Gen's bed like a heron, much to the surprise of Costis and the attendants....

[(Anonymous)]

Here is the exact quote: "Costis, beginning from the far side of the bed, and trying to leave with a little dignity, was the last to reach the door. He looked back. The queen was settling on the edge of the bed, ungainly with hesitation and at the same time exquisite in her grace, like a heron landing in a treetop. Without meaning to, he stopped to watch."

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

I do love the Natale covers, no denyin', but I appreciate all the attention to detail in the new ones, too. And they are all pretty.

I think my favorite detail is on the cover for A Conspiracy of Kings - all the little figures and things are perched on what looks like the seats of an amphitheater. A nod to Sophos's love of theater, as well as the political theater he will act out in an actual theater at the end of the book! :)

Each cover has a sort of platform backdrop inspired by one of the settings in the book - which is why I'm SO curious about the cover for Return of the Thief! What does it mean?!