Dining With Great Blue

One of the most exciting and gratifying moments in nature is the close encounter with wild creature regardless of its size, shape, or demeanor. I say gratifying because I always feel privileged to have shared an intimate event with something so innocent, uncorrupted, and pure. It makes me feel connected to nature, at least for the moment. I was fortunate to experience a close encounter this morning at Qualicum Beach. I had just worked my way up the coast from Nanoose - San Malo, Parksville Bay, and French Creek without seeing anything interesting. It wasn't surprising. Most of the wintering ducks, sea birds, and gulls had departed for their respective nesting grounds - some as far as the Arctic coast. My last stop was the viewing stand at the west end of Qualicum. I was pleased to see about 170 Brant, two Great Blue Herons, and a Common Loon. Despite the overcast conditions, I was in the mood for some photography, but none of the birds mentioned seemed likely as they were too far away and usually difficult to approach. With time on my hands I decided to set up my camera near the receding tide and hope for something interesting to appear. A few Brant swam by but just a little too far out for good pictures. A few Black Oystercatchers were busy probing for clams, limpets, or worms, but I had photographed them many times recently. The usual Black Turnstones were turning over stones around the rocks near the water, but were unappealing in the dull light. I took a quick look in case a Ruddy Turnstone was in the mix but no luck. To entertain myself I decided to check for Brant bands on a few Brant that had wandered onto a sandbar about 30 meters away. I managed to photograph two bands: HeartH2 and 3SG. I was looking for more bands when a Great Blue Heron flew towards me. I expected it to just fly by, but to my surprise it landed right in front of me.

Herons usually keep their distance, but this one had something else on its mind.

I was close to a small bay that was left behind by the outgoing tide. The heron knew that there were fish being trapped in the little bay. It landed right in front of me at the mouth of the bay.

Like I've said before, "Food trumps fear." Great Blue showed no fear as it strided towards me and the seafood buffet. Meanwhile, I excitedly adjusted my exposure compensation to +1/3 and focussed my camera in anticipation of a little feeding action.

Suddenly the heron spotted a fish. It was up periscope for a better view. Great Blue was now a foot taller than usual.

Two stealthy steps forward, tilting the neck for the best angle of attack, and ...

Gotcha! Great Blue's bill was as unerring as a well aimed harpoon. A greenling (?) was securely grasped in the heron's bill.

The greenling was just the right size for an appetizer.

With a little juggling and manipulation, the greenling was oriented to go down the gullet head first.

With a few thrusts of the heron's head the greenling disappeared.

The lump in the throat is not because the heron is choked with emotion.

Another common snack that Great Blue found was a variety of gunnel fish.

Brown and green were the most common colours for these eel-like fish.

Here's another greenling. I think they were the favorite for Great Blue. He caught four in the short time in front of me.

Wow! This is a scary looking fish. It reminded me of the prehistoric triceratops with fins.

For larger fish the heron usually drops it on the ground and spears it a few times.

After a few shots with the bill, the fish is usually incapacitated and ready for swallowing, but that's not what happened. After another look at the fish, the heron decided it wouldn't be prudent to try to swallow it. It would be like swallowing a porcupine. Look back at the previous pictures and notice the spikes on the head of the fish. Great Blue wisely abandoned the fish and flew away.

Well, that's my little encounter with Great Blue. It made my day, and hopefully you can share my pleasure through these pictures. However, like I always say, it's more fun if you get out and see for yourself.

Meet Groucho Marx. I think you have to be at least 50 years old to know who I'm talking about.

I found Groucho, aka Dark-eyed Junco at Brickyard Bay where there were no seabirds in sight.

**************************************************************************************

**************************************************************************************

Bird Poster

My poster is on display at: Victoria - Swan Lake Nature House

**************************************************************************************

PUBLICATIONS

VOLUME I & II BOOKS AVAILABLE AT

PARKSVILLE & QUALICUM - MULBERRYBUSH BOOKSTORES

NANAIMO - SAVE-ON FOODS (WOODGROVE),
SAVE-ON FOODS (COUNTRY CLUB), CHAPTERS, FALCONER BOOKS

PORT ALBERNI - CLOCKTOWER GALLERY

COURTENAY - GRAHAM'S JEWELLERS

SIDNEY - VICTORIAN BIRD HOUSE, TANNER'S BOOKSTORE

COMOX - BLUE HERON BOOKS

BOWSER - LIGHTHOUSE GIFTS

DEEP BAY - SHIP & SHORE

SAANICH - WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED

VICTORIA - BOLEN BOOKS, MUNRO'S, CROWN PUBLICATIONS, IVY'S

CAMPBELL RIVER - SAVE-ON FOODS, COHO BOOKS, CAMPBELL RIVER MUSEUM

DUNCAN - VOLUME 1 BOOKSTORE

CHEMAINUS - WILLOW"S WILD BIRD STORE

LADYSMITH - SALAMANDER BOOKS

NANOOSE - SCHOONER COVE MARINA

LAKE COWICHAN - GALLOPING MOON GALLERY

TOFINO - BOTANICAL GARDENS

QUADRA ISLAND - EXPLORE & BOOK BONANZA

LANGFORD - WILD BIRD CENTER

SOOKE - READING ROOM BOOKSTORE

SOOKE - MUSEUM

Port Hardy - MUSEUM

[RETURN TO CONTENTS PAGE]

Comments, questions, or book orders?

[Contact Mike]