A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Ardea herodias
I read that Great Blue Heron's feed on small rodents, but it was incredible to actually see it. There are a lot of gophers in the park--I see their burrow holes all over the grass, I believe the species is Botta's pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae). The heron dunked the gopher in the water several times before swallowing it. Amazing!
Aquatic Park, Berkeley, CA.
It feeds in shallow water or at the water's edge and spears fish or frogs with its long, sharp bill. Its varied diet can also include insects, snakes, turtles, rodents and small birds. It will also raid goldfish ponds in back yards. www.surfbirds.com
Spotted on Jan 13, 2012
Submitted on Feb 15, 2012
7 Comments
Thanks Maria, AustinJacobs, and JoshuaAsel!
Awesome sequence. Nice work.
nice nice
Thanks Nopayahnah--it was an incredible sight to see!
I had no idea they ate rodents either. Great spotting!
Thanks MaryEvans2!
Nice spotting.