Outdoor Ontario
Discussion => Behaviour => Topic started by: Dinusaur on September 16, 2021, 08:36:17 PM
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A friend of mine and I were in Presqu'ile Provincial Park on Saturday, the day the Gull Island opened to visitors. We crossed the inlet on foot to go over to the island - the water was just below my knee. Though it was slim picking in the island, on the mainland side it was a different story. Apart from various shorebirds, warblers, falcons and hawks we also witnessed an incredible event of a Great Blue Heron swallowing a hapless Muskrat. Since the time we spotted, it took about 7 minutes for the heron to finally swallow the muskrat. I have seen herons catching and swallowing voles but never a prey this big. After pausing for few minutes the heron continued its stroll along water's edge in search of another prey.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51485532710_05298614fc_c.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/gp/60250038@N02/109oVY)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51485533320_8f409e7477_c.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/gp/60250038@N02/L19q74)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51483825557_247acb3fab_c.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/gp/60250038@N02/8V70f9)
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That is so extraordinary. I guess they do take their chances at whatever food that is available. I need to make sure I don't look too feeble in front of these creatures.
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I have some difficulty imagining you looking "feeble" while toting a 600mm lens. No heron would confront a weaponized Ally. You would think that a muskrat should expand the heron's stomach to such an extent hat it would need to rest after so much Muskratatouille.
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I have some difficulty imagining you looking "feeble" while toting a 600mm lens. No heron would confront a weaponized Ally. You would think that a muskrat should expand the heron's stomach to such an extent hat it would need to rest after so much rat-tat-tui,
You don't have to imagine, you know. Sighting Shortsighted, and birding with you is still top on my bucket list. Higher than finding a Short-eared owl.
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Be careful what you wish for. It might come true ... someday ... and then you'll kick yourself for being so .... wait for it .... SHORTSIGHTED.
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Be careful what you wish for. It might come true ... someday ... and then you'll kick yourself for being so .... wait for it .... SHORTSIGHTED.
Hahaha, good one. Maybe I can meet Goose too.
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Goose is really a transatlantic goose that currently grazes in Sweden and is being thoroughly .... Swedish. It was either Sweden or off-world and I decided that Sweden was more acceptable. Since I am almost entirely confined to a 1 km block, virtually anywhere is as exotic as off-world. Thank goodness there is a woodlot along the street and that Amos pond and Reesor pond are only a few minutes away, not that I visit either more than once a season, if at all.