Last week, when we still had lots of snow on the ground, I watched a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) at Huntley Meadows Park catch a relatively big fish. Most times a heron simply tilts back its head and swallows a fish immediately, but this heron walked out of the water with the fish in its mouth, probably to make sure that his prized catch did not have a chance to escape.
The heron placed the fish in the snow and adjusted its position multiple times. After several abortive attempts to get the fish into the optimal position, the heron lifted the fish up one final time and swallowed it in one big gulp.
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Pretty amazing. Great shots. You were definitely at the right place at the right time to catch big mouth in the act. No hiding in the pantry, back to the world, bent over a jar of goodies sneaking fishies for this guy.
Great timing and amazing photos (especially the first one).
Thanks. I usually lead with my best shot and this posting was no exception. I was a constrained in choosing my shooting position and was shooting through some vegetation, so I was thrilled whenever the heron would turn in my direction and into the light. Fortunately I have a good deal of patience, so it worked out well for the both of us.
Great Shots, Mike. M 🙂
i’m always happy when I see one with a fish. They’re so patient, and sometimes seem quite pleased with themselves once the fish is down. I especially like the second photo, because of that raised foot. I think egret and heron feet and legs are fascinating.
Great shots Mike!
Nice catch!
Your patience was rewarded.
Looks like a catfish. What do you think, Mike?
I have seen this process hundreds of times and I still find it so astonishing; your image series is just amazing.
Excellent shots, the best part is a heron in snow.. 🙂
Good catch!
Nice shots. It looks more like winter there than it does here. Our snow is just about gone.