The Hunters
by Elizabeth Winter
Title
The Hunters
Artist
Elizabeth Winter
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The primary food for great blue heron is small fish, though it is also known to opportunistically feed on a wide range of shrimp, crabs, aquatic insects, rodents, and other small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds.
Herons locate their food by sight and usually swallow it whole. They have been known to choke on prey that is too large.[24][25] It is generally a solitary feeder. Individuals usually forage while standing in water, but also feed in fields or drop from the air, or a perch, into water. Mice are occasionally preyed on in upland areas far from the species' typical aquatic environment.[19] Occasionally, loose feeding flocks form and may be beneficial since they are able to locate schools of fish more easily.[19] As large wading birds, great blue herons are capable of feeding in deeper waters, thus are able to harvest from niche areas not open to most other heron species. Typically, the great blue heron feeds in shallow waters, usually less than 50 cm (20 in) deep,[19] or at the water's edge during both the night and the day, but especially around dawn and dusk. The most commonly employed hunting technique of the species is wading slowly with its long legs through shallow water and quickly spearing fish or frogs with its long, sharp bill. Although usually ponderous in movements, the great blue heron is adaptable in its fishing methods. Feeding behaviors variably have consisted of standing in one place, probing, pecking, walking at slow speeds, moving quickly, flying short distances and alighting, hovering over water and picking up prey, diving headfirst into the water, alighting on water feet-first, jumping from perches feet-first, and swimming or floating on the surface of the water.
Uploaded
September 29th, 2016
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Viewed 212 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/25/2024 at 7:06 AM
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Comments (19)
Kellice Swaggerty
What a wonderful mood of serenity and tranquility in this beautiful artwork, Elizabeth! L/F
Linda Foakes
Great capture...superb tranquil misty morning mood and I enjoyed reading the description. l/f
William Beuther
Very nicely done, Elizabeth! Your muted colors and moody lighting are perfect for this image. LF
Karen Slagle
I love this soft and moody image, the light is stunning and I really like how you described herons. f/l