WildView™

August 24, 2018

Patience is a Virtue Among Herons

- as seen by -

Eric Januszkiewicz

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Watching a great blue heron (Ardea herodias) hunt, you begin to understand the skill and patience its takes for them to get a meal. These large, majestic birds can be spotted wading in shallow waters in search of small fish. They wait patiently, scoping the water for any nearby movement. When a fish happens to swim by, they strike with incredible speed and precision in hopes of securing a small meal.

In the waters of Myakka River State Park in Florida, these birds can be seen hunting in areas with alligators looming in the distance. Their keen eyesight not only allows them to be successful hunters, it also keeps them aware of any potential dangers lurking nearby.

It is no wonder why the great blue heron is able to survive throughout such a broad geographic range including most of North America.

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