Another wooden trunk between some old rice fields, this one controls the flow of water from the canal in the foreground to the impoundment behind that dike. This set of trunks was replaced last year and only this side has the full pivoting door mechanism.
Grackle, Juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-heron and Tricolored Heron on Rice Field Trunk
I knelt down to get the next image, where you can see open water in the impoundment on the other side. The grackle and the Tricolored Heron had moved on and the juvenile night heron took that opportunity to claim a post.
Juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-heron
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 14, 2022
This wooden trunk is the conduit for the canal water under the road between some old rice field impoundments, not far from where Snowy Egret Fishing on the Fly
Tricolored Heron Standing In Rice Field Trunk
Just before I took this series the Tricolored Heron nabbed a fish then landed back on the trunk support.
Tricolored Heron Standing In Rice Field Trunk
I waited, and waited then finally!
Tricolored Heron Standing Fishing On The Fly
All that skittering on the water surface is from fish trying not to be lunch.
Tricolored Heron Standing Fishing On The Fly
Unfortunately he flew close to the canal edge and I couldn’t get out far enough to keep the grass from interfering with my shot.
Tricolored Heron Standing Fishing On The Fly
This time the heron kept flying down the canal with his catch.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 14, 2022
Note: this post was supposed to get published this morning before “King of the Hill” and for some unknown reason is marked “Missed Schedule.” Not sure what is up with that, but here it is … I hope.
Wading birds often take advantage of another bird of their own or a different species leading the way as they feed.
Roseate Spoonbill Following Tricolored Heron
It can work both ways.
Tricolored Heron Following Roseate Spoonbill
The Spoonbill will benefit from the edible morsels that get stirred up by the Heron’s passing by as he sifts the water.
Roseate Spoonbill With Tricolored Heron
The Heron is looking for larger prey, which also can reveal their position as the birds wade around.
Roseate Spoonbill Following Tricolored Heron
These two birds stuck together for several minutes until the Spoonbill got distracted by another activity, seen in my next post.
Roseate Spoonbill Following Tricolored Heron
Black Point Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
April 12, 2022