Big Catch!

Camera in hand, eyes focused upward to the blossoming tree canopy, I stroll quietly in search of colorful warblers and other migrating birds. I wander along a newly laid wood mulch trail that borders North Pond, a body of water teeming with a variety of fish, flora and fauna. My concentration is interrupted by the sound of flapping wings followed by a hushed thunk. I follow the disturbance to a sizable fallen tree that arcs out over the resplendent pond. There, atop the thick, mossy, horizontal trunk stands a beautifully hued Green Heron with quite a mouthful. Upon closer inspection, I see the Green Heron is quite the skilled fisherman. A large, glistening Bluegill is the unfortunate meal today.

I have observed several Green Herons before and their usual appearance is one of a multicolored football, perched on a tree limb, skulking stance, ready to strike. Much like the photo below.

Today, my first view was this ...

What to do next with this rather large catch ...

Perhaps a few steps will help send the fish to the depths ...

A quick twist will surely assist ...

Down the gullet with this mullet!

A long stretch of the neck will benefit a speck ...

A satisfying lick of the beak, end to an admirable technique

Finishing up with a long slurp ... or was that a burp?