Little catch

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Little catch

January 23, 2021 by Mike Powell

The fish was modest in size, but the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) had waited so patiently to catch the fish that it was determined not to lose its prey. As the heron adjusted the fish in its mouth, it turned away from the water, so that if the fish somehow escaped its grasp, it would not be able to swim away.

A few seconds later the heron tilted its head back and swallowed the fish. The heron took a quick drink of water and went back to fishing, probably hoping that it would be able to catch a main course to go along with the tasty appetizer that it had already consumed.

I watched this little drama unfold this past Thursday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife, Winter | Tagged Ardea herodias, Canon 50D, Great Blue Heron, Great Blue Heron fishing, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Tamron 150-600mm, Woodbridge VA | 14 Comments

14 Responses

on January 23, 2021 at 11:29 am | Reply Robert Kirkendall

Good picture! Occasionally I see a blue heron on the hunt where I live, very stealthy for a tall bird.
- on January 23, 2021 at 11:33 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Robert. Quite often I see herons standing in the shallow waters near the shore watching and waiting for long periods of time and then they strike suddenly. I like to wait to see if I can see them catch a fish, but most of the time their patience is greater than mine.
on January 23, 2021 at 3:36 pm | Reply Dan Antion

Great fishermen.
on January 23, 2021 at 4:42 pm | Reply sv-anui.com

Great capture, Mike, from you and the heron!
- on January 23, 2021 at 8:51 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Chris.
on January 23, 2021 at 5:46 pm | Reply Ellen Jennings

Great action shot, Mike. I love watching the GBH fish, it amazing the variety and size range they will go for.
- on January 23, 2021 at 8:51 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Ellen. I too most amazed when a GBH snags a fish so large that I think to myself that it will never be able to swallow it. I then watch in shock as it does just that.
on January 23, 2021 at 5:52 pm | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

Those are excellent observations Mike, and a nice shot too. I’ve never seen a great blue heron actually catch a fish. They turn into statues as soon as they see me coming.
- on January 23, 2021 at 8:53 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I see herons quite often and have been lucky to see them catch fish multiple times. It is amazing how long they can stand still and then suddenly strike. It is tough for me to remain ready with my camera and I often miss the moment of the actual strike, as was the case with this little fish.
on January 23, 2021 at 8:09 pm | Reply Eliza Waters

Smart heron… I wonder how many he lost before he figured out to move onto land?
on January 24, 2021 at 9:17 am | Reply Louella Lester

Wonderful photo.
- on January 24, 2021 at 12:14 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Louella.
on January 24, 2021 at 3:01 pm | Reply Molly Lin Dutina

Probably hungry for any size snack!
- on January 24, 2021 at 4:01 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I am really happy that the Great Blue Herons stay with us all winter and suspect it is much harder for them to catch fish as it gets colder and colder. Fortunately the ponds rarely freeze over completely, which helps them a bit.