Shelley Lake, Raleigh, NC February & March 2019
Blogger’s Note: While I believe that all images are of the same blue heron, they were not all taken on the same day. I watched this heron fly to its favorite fishing area over a period of almost three weeks. Then one day my patience paid off. I was able to capture the main sequences in 4 bursts over a short time span getting most of the images for this simple story.
A heron has got to get there.
While the best fishing is very close to the nest, this heron never flies directly to his place. Caution may play a role. Tim Cox has captured a sequence showing an eagle harassing and chasing away a heron from this very place. The route I photographed allows a thorough check of the skies and passes by the eagle’s favorite perch. No eagle?! This heron heads to its spot.
Watching a heron land isn’t very exciting – until the camera stops the motion so you can see what’s going on. The heron slows using his (?) wings while putting his (?) feet forward. (I always want to say he, but no one can tell the different between male and female without examining a blood sample. I’ll try to stay gender neutral throughout …)
The heron leans back, wings providing balance and control. Legs are pointed way forward.
The heron lands and immediately pivots, turning back toward its approach
Time to fish.
My heron wades out to find the fish.
As the heron fishes, it peers intently into the water. Suddenly, there is a quick thrust. It makes quite a splash! But this time, no fish!
(Click on the first image of the gallery. Once the first picture is up, you can watch the action by clicking (taping) on the arrow that appears on the right edge. Click through the image set. Move forward and backward. Then you can click on the small [X] in the upper right corner to return to the main line blog.)
A miss. So the heron moves a few steps and resumes the search.
Again the angle of the heron’s neck telegraphs that a fish has been spotted. The thrust, splash, this time the heron finds success. The sharp beak spears the fish. Unlike my heron, many other birds species catch their fish in an open mouth. Or in the bird’s claws.
(Again, click on the first image of the gallery. Once the first picture is up, you can watch the action by clicking (taping) on the arrow that appears on the right edge. Click through the image. Move forward and backward. Then click on the small [X] in the upper right corner to return to the main line blog.)
Now my heron proudly displays it’s meal! It pivots back toward shore.
Time to eat!
We have lift off as the heron flies back to shore to eat.
Once safely on shore, the heron moves the fish into its mouth.
Getting the fish in position, the heron swallows it whole! Amazingly you can watch the fish move down the throat creating quite a moving bulge on the way down.
Finally, the heron tells me it’s time to walk away – away from any sharp-eyed eagles. Time to digest that meal!
