As I was watching a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) at pretty close range from the boardwalk today at Huntley Meadows Park, I wrongly assumed that his nonchalant attitude meant that he was not fishing. He struck quickly and speared a pretty good-sized fish and immediately turned his back to me and headed for the shore. Partially hidden by the vegetation, the heron consumed his catch.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Can we fry that, or will this be more Sushi?
It was gone in a single gulp–something that I could never do with a fish that size.
Ha ha.
What a catch! For both him and you.
Thanks, Lee. It is always a challenge with herons to be as patient as they are and yet constantly alert–they strike without any real warning.
Nice work all round!
Thanks, Graham.
Great photo!
Thanks, Dan. Initially I was disappointed when the heron turned away from me, but it ended up making an interesting shot because of the unusual angle.
Dinner is served
Hi Mike! for some time i’ve been thinking about doing a post on ‘eyes’ and i’m thinking i should make a start on bringing some images together… of course I’d love to use this if that’s ok with you? If you’d like to suggest one other of your photos for a great ‘eye’ or ‘eyes’ shot pls give me a link 🙂
You are welcome to use the photo, Liz. I don’t know exactly what you are looking for, but here is a pretty cool shot of a turtle eye (https://michaelqpowell.wordpress.com/2015/05/15/eye-of-the-turtle/) or perhaps you might like the eye of a dragonfly (https://michaelqpowell.wordpress.com/2014/10/18/blue-eyed-blue-faced-beauty/) or (https://michaelqpowell.wordpress.com/2015/09/13/babys-got-blue-eyes/) or possibly the eye of a snake (https://michaelqpowell.wordpress.com/2014/04/30/my-reflection-in-a-snakes-eye/). Depending on what you are looking for, the eyes of this fox are pretty cool too (https://michaelqpowell.wordpress.com/2016/01/31/fox-on-a-frozen-pond/).
You know Mike, I’ve developed this idea into doing a little “Five Eyes” series and doing a selection of five eye shots from a single photographer for each post. Are you happy to be the first featured photographer with 5 of your shots? FYI I’d like to add the kingfisher and woodpecker eye-ing each other – I love that shot! And yes, Five Eyes is my tongue-in-cheek reference to the Security Alliance.
That sounds like a cool idea, and I would be honored to be featured in a series on eyes. I am comfortable with you choosing the photos and here are a couple of additional possibilities a frog eye (https://michaelqpowell.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/frog-hiding-in-duckweed/) ; a frog and green heron looking at each other (https://michaelqpowell.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/not-seeing-eye-to-eye/); another green heron with dramatic lighting (https://michaelqpowell.wordpress.com/2015/08/01/green-heron-portrait-light-and-shadows/). Feel free to choose others from my blog if none of the ones I have suggested fit together. Here’s one final possibility from a posting I did on the rescue of a bald eagle (https://michaelqpowell.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/rescue-of-an-injured-bald-eagle/).
Perfectly happy with the lovely photos I’ve got! (Using the ones discussed previously except for the snake). Thought I’d include your text as well, in each case it adds a lot to the photo. Will still link back of course for each post. If all goes to plan, they’ll be published 6 Dec. Many thanks Mike! Cheers, Liz
Thanks for the update. Efforts like this remind me that I took some pretty nice photos in the past. So often I am so focused on shooting the next picture that I don’t pause and look back.
I can understand that and its nice that I can act as a catalyst to resurrect them again!
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