Youngster at Work

  It is a common sight to see the large herons stalking fish along the shorelines, here on the Bayou.  The Great Blue Herons stand in the edge of the marsh or wade belly-deep into the waters to catch their breakfast.  This morning, one leisurely strolled along in ankle-deep waters as it fished.  The bird noticed me as I made my way down the pier but made no effort to flee.  I am near the water just as much as they are so the critters of the Bayou have no fear of me.  This bird is a youngster that was hatched two springs ago.  It never left the area and seems to be doing fine for itself. 

  Most folks think that the herons only dine upon fish.  While that seems to be their preferred diet, these birds will often visit fields and bogs where they will feast upon frogs, insects and rodents.  Anything is fair-game when it comes to their dining pleasure.  The herons will even go so far as to raid other birds' nests to eat the eggs or hatchlings.  But, back to fish, the herons wade along slowly waiting for fish to gather near.  They sometimes stand nigh on motionless for quite a spell before finally making the swift strike.  Herons usually go for the smaller minnows and baby mullet but occasionally literally "stab" a much larger fish.  The small fish are snatched up with lightning speed but the larger ones are speared.  This "spearfishing" utilizes their dagger-like beak. Once a fish is impaled, the heron will shake it to stun the fish before swallowing it whole.  

  Watching the herons along the Bayou never bores me.  Their fishing techniques are quite different than other shorebirds.  The stalking, snatching or spearfishing methods are rather unique and make for interesting viewing from my perfect spot on the pier.