yourlibrarian: Dr. Horrible and Captain Hammer (HOR-HammerHorrible-yourlibrarian)
yourlibrarian ([personal profile] yourlibrarian) wrote in [community profile] common_nature2022-04-19 12:58 pm

Heron Catches (and Eats) a Fish



We spotted a heron out on the lake last week -- luckily during an hour when it wasn't pouring rain. We got the camera out and to our amazement it caught and swallowed a fish, which we got photos of. I wasn't even aware we had anything in the lake but carp, but it looks like there are bluegill too.





In addition to never having seen a heron catch anything at the lake before, we'd certainly never seen the eating process. Compared to the heron the fish wasn't that big but it sure seemed like it was in a swallowing context. Clearly the heron had no problems! Couldn't believe we could actually see the fish on its journey down its neck.



vriddy: Cute dragon hatching from an egg (Default)

[personal profile] vriddy 2022-04-19 06:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, wow!! I sometimes see herons around here too but they tend to be pretty shy/cautious, that was an incredible moment to catch!
chestnut_pod: A close-up photograph of my auburn hair in a French braid (Default)

[personal profile] chestnut_pod 2022-04-19 08:07 pm (UTC)(link)
What a moment! I've seen a heron's whole… throat deal… with a vole before. Queasy but very neat??
shirebound: (Default)

[personal profile] shirebound 2022-04-19 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow, those are amazing shots.
adafrog: (Default)

[personal profile] adafrog 2022-04-20 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
Wow. Thanks.
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)

Wow!

[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith 2022-04-20 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
Those are amazing pictures! :D I love how they tell the whole story.

Bluegills are delicious.
lilysea: Tree hugger (Tree hugger)

[personal profile] lilysea 2022-04-20 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
HERON! ^_^
nanila: me (Default)

[personal profile] nanila 2022-04-20 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
That is an impressive feat of swallowing, and what moment to capture! Thank you for sharing.
cmcmck: (Default)

[personal profile] cmcmck 2022-04-20 09:11 am (UTC)(link)
Such great pics!
turlough: tiny black & white bird among flowering apple blossoms, Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) ((other) bird watcher)

[personal profile] turlough 2022-04-20 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow, what an amazing series of photos!