Nothing exemplifies patience better (in the bird world) than herons and egrets fishing. On a recent morning walk at the marsh at Wood Lake nature center, I spied these statues along the shore.
I love the mirror image of this statuesque bird. Unfortunately, I disturbed its hunting and it flew off.
If they are undisturbed by a photographer’s presence, they will stand, unmoving in a fixed stance, for minutes on end, patiently waiting for the unwary fish or invertebrate to swim by.
I was so far away from this bird that it continued its imitation of a bird statue for 10 minutes while I stood there.
An imperceptible lowering of the bird’s head must mean there is something interesting there, but another 5 minutes went by with the bird in this position with no action. I moved on.
Further along the marsh shore I spied a juvenile Green Heron repositioning itself on a branch. It assumed the statue stance… while I hid behind a tree to capture what I hope would be some fishing action.
Sure enough, within a minute of landing, the heron started into its attack stance.
Another lesson in patience — holding a pose while upside down clinging to a branch. Waiting…waiting…(me with my finger on the shutter, I mean).
The strike and grab happened in a blink. To make up for my slow trigger finger, I just pressed down on the shutter and rapidly clicked off multiple shots.
It’s a tiny little fish, but every calorie taken in counts when you’re trying to put on fat to migrate.
Toss that baby back in the throat, just like you would a much bigger fish.
And now back to pose number one — the statue impression.
The patient hunter reaps a reward! Herons and Egrets have an astounding 70% average success rate (# of captures/# of strikes) in both natural and man-made aquatic environments in the southeastern U.S*. I assume it’s roughly the same up here in the northland. Great Blue Herons were by far the most successful hunters in estuary habitat, racking up a 93% success rate there. Great Egrets enjoyed their greatest success along rivers (94%). Snowy Egrets were almost equally successful in a variety of aquatic habitats (65-75% success) but were not able to match the prey catching efficiency of their larger cousins.
*data from H.D. Mincey, 2006. MS Thesis, Georgia Southern University.
Back Yard Biology 
Nice shot of the little green – and finding one in the open. They are my favorite to watch.. and the hardest to see when they decide to hide in the grass.
The juvies seem less wary than the adults. But I was pretty well hidden behind the tree, and it would have to look into the sun to see me. But I agree, what I usually see of a green heron is them flying away.
Very true about the juvies. Reminds me of the time I was at a lecture/presentation on Purple Martins and a juvie green flew up from the pond to the martin house and perched there. And stayed for five minutes.
Great blue herons have a leg up by being able to hunt the fields for mice and moles too, so they’re not likely to starve. I wonder if egrets do the same. Excellent shots!
Yes, the great egrets have alternative foods too. When we were in Puerto Rico last winter I saw them hunting lizards up on the bluff above the ocean.
Great series of photos, Sue. I love the one of the Great Blue hiding behind the green grass!!
I am learning so much from your blog!
Love taking pictures of Herons. Glad you had the chance!
Great job getting the shots of the green heron. It’s tough to stay attentive when you are waiting and waiting for the strike. It won’t be long before the green herons and egrets leave our area, though the blue herons stay with us for most, if not all of the year.
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