A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Butorides virescens
A Green Heron, possibly an immature, spotted in the central wetland area at Huntley Meadows Park. This individual was stalking and eating a frog. I have observed the same bird (at least I think it's the same bird) for two weeks. It seems like the bird has learned frogs like to hide in the shade under the boardwalk. The bird walks along the edge of the boardwalk looking for frogs; when it spots one, it launches itself beak-first like a spear. (Photo 1 shows how the bird's beak speared the frog.) Next the bird hops onto the boardwalk and repositions the frog until it is holding the frog head first. Then, gulp! Photo 6 is entitled, "I can't talk ... I have a frog in my throat!"
Huntley Meadows Park, a 1,425 acre wetland area in Fairfax County, Virginia USA. Related Resource: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntl...
Copyright © 2012 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved. www.wsanford.com
Spotted on Jul 23, 2012
Submitted on Jul 24, 2012
3 Comments
Incredible! :)
Fantastic series and excellent photos! Great spotting W.!
You got it all and it is so clear! Wonderful pictures and story!