Known Predators of Ardea Herdodias

Known predators...from: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Ardea_herodias.html

* crows and ravens
* common raven
* eagles
* raccoons
* bears
* turkey vulture
* red-tailed hawks

My goodness, but all of these are possible for our Herons...I don't think the bears have been on the Lower Lake side of the creek in this area, but they have certainly been in the vineyard just across the creek!

Another Walk, Another Heron

Food Habits of Ardea herodias from: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Ardea_herodias.html

Great blue herons fish in both the night and the day, with most of their activity occurring around dawn and dusk. Herons use their long legs to wade in shallow water and their sharp "spearlike" bills to catch their food. Great blue herons' diet consists of mainly fish, but also includes frogs, salamanders, lizards, snakes, birds, small mammals, shrimps, crabs, crayfish , dragonflies, grasshoppers, and many other aquatic insects. Herons locate their food by sight and usually swallow it whole. Herons have been known to choke on prey that is too large. (Ferguson, 1998)

My Heron was back in the field again today...he is so tall that he really stand out once you know what to look for. Today he let me get quite a bit closer before flying across the field, very low, to land on the west side. According to the article quoted above, they so their fishing early and late in the day, so I am not really sure what this fellow is up to out in the field, but I am guessing little frogs though I haven't seen or heard any.

Great Blue Heron Hunting

Today I walked around on the land and the heron was there again...hunting in the grass, nowhere near the water. I was a little lucky to be able to sneak around the pond under cover of the oaks, and finally got a photo. The pic I missed was when a rabbit I startled ran out to the road and directly at the heron. The heron waited a long time and then flew straight up in the air, giant wings outspread...rabbit detoured around him and kept on running! And I missed a great show...I think I might investigate a new camera.

Icy Day

Skiddish Herons
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

Braving ice, mud and this relentless head cold, I made it back across the creek. I was finally able to get a very long distance shot of this pair of herons. They had been down in Cache Creek, and flew off as I approached. They had probably been alerted by the large flock of wood ducks that took off when I wasn't even near the creek! I will never get those wood ducks without the kayak.
The herons were gone by the time I got to their tree, but as I trudged across the field, I happened to glance up at the vulture oak, and there they were! Maybe they are getting a bit used to me, as they did stay long enough for a shot or two but when I started waking in their direction, off they went! Hope they will establish a nest on the property...that would be very neat.
There was ice on the little pond this morning...a very cold day here, but at least the sun is shining.