Lunch!

I watched this American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) for about 30 minutes while it stood motionless across the marsh from where I had taken a seat on a fallen log. (I should say that it took me about 10 minutes before that to notice the bittern, as it stood on one leg on the mud without moving at all.) All around me green frogs and bullfrogs were plunking and bellowing. Finally the bittern changed posture, flew across a small channel and landed on a mudflat directly opposite me, about 100 feet away. There it began pacing -- first right, then left -- pursuing frogs, most of which escaped, but finally capturing one that dove under a lily pad. The bird struck violently and pulled up the floating leaf, prying the struggling frog away from the leaf before plunging it several times into the murky water and subduing it with well practiced maneuvers. With little ado it then swallowed the frog and took a sip of water to chase its meal.

Dillant-Hopkins Airport marsh, near Airport Road, Swanzey, NH

(5 July 2022)

Done