I shot this picture through the windowpane in the living room, and had to take it quickly because he was gone in an instant. He was going after the fish in my pond again. This one wasn't as brave as the other birds that I've shown in this category of photos. The herons like to challenge me by hanging around on a neighboring roof to see if I'm going to go back inside the house again. But this little guy took flight for better waters. I'll cut him some slack. After all, I still have fish in the pond.
What you need is an outside cat... say, like a puma...
Posted by: steelcowboy | September 23, 2005 at 07:25 AM
That's an awfully large bird there! Eating all your fish eh?
Stick a little barky dog out there.
Posted by: idgie | September 23, 2005 at 08:38 AM
Looks a bit like a velociraptor.
*concern*
Posted by: Maine | September 23, 2005 at 08:48 AM
he is a purty birdie. why not put a net or something down to cover the pond, save the fish and still be able to enjoy the beauty of the birds.
Posted by: mom | September 23, 2005 at 11:13 AM
Naughty birdie! It's amazing how smart animals can actually be.
Posted by: InterstellarLass | September 23, 2005 at 11:35 AM
Okay birdwoman ;) Pull out the BB gun.
Posted by: poopie | September 23, 2005 at 12:06 PM
you all are so in tune with my thought process. :))))
If I find the velcroraptor with a fish in his beak, I'll....
do something.
Ever get up close to one of these things? they have a way of staring at you without emotion, and that massive beak of theirs seems to grow longer when they fixate on you as a target.
I've been known to back off slowly.
Posted by: Laura | September 23, 2005 at 12:46 PM
That is great! What a cool sight to see. We lived on a ranch in CA up until a year ago. It had a pond on it. We'd often see Egrets, I think that's how it's spelled. When they flew, it was like Pteradactyls (spelling?). Very cool!
Posted by: Jamie Dawn | September 23, 2005 at 01:47 PM
You think it's unnatural or something for Herons to eat fish? Geez, give 'em a break. Go buy some more fish. They don't care if you get the cheap ones, either....
Posted by: Old Horsetail Snake | September 23, 2005 at 02:22 PM
I'll bet Hoss is right; they won't mind if you have cheap goldfish, although they might appreciate a gourmet treat now and then....LOL. That is a good photo to have been shot through a screen.
Posted by: kenju | September 23, 2005 at 02:49 PM
So, where's that clever dog? Doesn't he know his role is protector of the fish?
Posted by: Florida Cracker | September 23, 2005 at 06:05 PM
You are lucky to have these birds in your back yard - I would love that!
Posted by: Ruth | September 23, 2005 at 09:11 PM
With a beak like that, it wouldn't take long to get his point...
Posted by: FTS | September 23, 2005 at 11:55 PM
I have entrusted you with our herons, because you did such a good job keeping them fat and healthy last winter. Don't disappoint me.
If you do a good job, this winter I promise to arrange to have a bunch of senior citizens drop in for a few months. We'd keep 'em here, but they drive too slow ...
Posted by: Nils | September 25, 2005 at 02:39 AM