Great Blue Heron at Ridgefield NWR

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Every time we go to Ridgefield NWR we are always treated to a show, whether it’s the river otters playing, in the river or laying on a log eating fresh fish. Or it could be the family of raccoons staring at you from the edge of the road it’s always a treat to do the auto tour at Ridgefield even in winter when you can not leave your vehicle. But one of the favorite things for us to watch is the Great Blue Herons stalking in the grass lands, looking for their next meal. You may say don’t they eat small fish and frogs? Well yes but, Great Blue Herons are advantages hunters, and due to their large size they are able to feed on a variety of prey not limited to fish and frogs. They can also eat: young birds, eggs, snakes, insects, voles, mice, moles and other small mammals. Watching them stalk takes patience and to capture a strike on film takes twice as much patience. After stalking the stalker for a few minutes and witnessing a few strikes you would see the tell-tale moments that precedes a strike. They move slowly and sometimes remain motionless for long periods waiting of prey to venture near the strike zone. The Great Blue Heron strike is like lighting fast. It is amazing to watch the heron launch its beak like a spear at the intended target. The above picture was taken at Ridgefield NWR of a Great Blue Heron from me sitting in my car as it stalked prey in the grass. On this day it seemed intent on catching small insects.