If I want to eat a lobster, I need lots of tools (and a bib). This Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) at my local marsh had to try a different technique and seemed to be trying to crack the crayfish’s shell with its bill (or was hoping the crayfish would simply crawl down its throat).
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Amazing how they figure these things out.
It is truly amazing. Of course, I wonder what caused a human being to first look at a lobster and think that it was something edible. If we eat lobsters, why not spiders?
Remarkable photo, Mike.
Thanks. I love taking shots of Great Blue Herons, but normally they are more patient in waiting for a catch than I am in waiting for a shot. This time we both got lucky.
I love it when both parties get lucky like that!
Love the photo, the detail is amazing.
Thanks, Charlie. I was fortunate to be able to capture the moment (partly by taking a lot of shots).
I wonder what that feels like going down that long throat. Great blue herons must be summering down there with you this year. I’ve only seen two here this spring.
I was up in Exeter, New Hampshire this past weekend and saw a number of Great Blue Herons where the river in Exeter turns into a coastal marsh. They seemed to be having great success in catching fish–it was the first time that I had seen a heron in moving waters, versus the more still waters where I usually see them. I hope to post a few shots of them in the upcoming weeks. I can’t imagine swallowing a fish or a crayfish whole.
Maybe the Heron is just giving the crayfish a ride and they are good friends? Sorry..I’ve been up a ll night and feeling a bit silly..:-)
Excellent shot..