Fountain (GBH and Gulf Menhaden)
This adult Great Blue Heron had just flown in to a spot near where I was shooting Least Bitterns and proceeded to take several large gulps of water while moving toward an area where gulf menhaden were schooling in a large mass. The bird was certainly able to see the baitfish, but struck here halfheartedly as if undecided whether to drink or feed. I can't tell for sure if a menhaden got taken in with the swallow of water but given the density of the fish, it would have been hard to miss. Subsequently, the bird went into full feeding mode and no doubt got its fill.
NB: Armand and Horsepen Bayou are part of a coastal estuary that receives tidal saltwater inflow from Galveston Bay and fresh water runoff from inland watersheds. The brackish water in this section of Horsepen Bayou is saltier than water further upstream and most of the wading birds seem to prefer that fresher upstream water for drinking. I can't recall seeing a large heron drink so deeply in this section before.
Fountain (GBH and Gulf Menhaden)
This adult Great Blue Heron had just flown in to a spot near where I was shooting Least Bitterns and proceeded to take several large gulps of water while moving toward an area where gulf menhaden were schooling in a large mass. The bird was certainly able to see the baitfish, but struck here halfheartedly as if undecided whether to drink or feed. I can't tell for sure if a menhaden got taken in with the swallow of water but given the density of the fish, it would have been hard to miss. Subsequently, the bird went into full feeding mode and no doubt got its fill.
NB: Armand and Horsepen Bayou are part of a coastal estuary that receives tidal saltwater inflow from Galveston Bay and fresh water runoff from inland watersheds. The brackish water in this section of Horsepen Bayou is saltier than water further upstream and most of the wading birds seem to prefer that fresher upstream water for drinking. I can't recall seeing a large heron drink so deeply in this section before.