Big Catch!

Camera in hand, eyes focused upward towards the blossoming tree canopy, I stroll quietly in search of colorful warblers and other migrating birds. I wander along a newly laid mulch trail that borders North Pond, a body of water teeming with a variety of fish, flora and fauna. My concentration is interrupted by the sound of flapping wings followed by a hushed thunk. I trace the disturbance to a sizable fallen tree that arcs out over the resplendent pond. There atop the thick, mossy, horizontal trunk stands a beautifully hued Green Heron with quite a mouthful. Upon closer inspection, I see the Green Heron is quite the skilled fisherman. A large, glistening, unfortunate Bluegill is the catch of the day.

I have observed several Green Herons before and their usual appearance is one of a multicolored football-shaped bird, perched on a limb, with a skulking stance, ready to strike. Much like the heron in the photograph above.

On this day, the source of the "hushed thunk" was this sashimi connoisseur.

What to do next with this rather large catch ...

Perhaps a few steps will send this fish to the depths.

A quick twist will surely assist.

Down the gullet with this mullet!

A long stretch of the neck will benefit a speck.

A satisfying lick of the beak, end to an admirable technique.

Finishing up with a long slurp ... or was that a burp?


Posted by Julie A. Gidwitz