Some birds, like the ospreys and Great Egrets, leave our area and migrate to warmer climates as winter approaches. Others, like Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias), remain with us and have to work harder to find food.
Last week I spotted a heron standing in the shallow water of one of the tidal ponds at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. In the past I have often seen herons wait patiently for extended periods of time to catch large fish, but this heron was content to strike often and pluck small fish from the water—every few minutes he would catch another fish, swallow it in a single gulp, and return to fishing.
I encourage you to click on the image to get a better look at the small fish in the heron’s bill and the visible spray of water droplets. I also really like the dynamism of the heron’s pose that suggests both the energy and the focus of the heron.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
That is a spectacular shot, Mike. I’m always amazed at the patience and tenacity of the heron.
Thanks, Michelle. I too admire the patience of the heron…quite often a heron will stand immobile for a long time and then suddenly strike without warning. I’ve missed getting the shot multiple times. 🙂