Minnows for breakfast

I stood with my coffee cup, scritching the cat, and then saw the reflection in the pond. A dark oval shape topped with the long s-curve neck and bill. The elusive heron was taking his breakfast of the thousands of minnows in our small pond.

If I were to go grab my good camera, he would be gone. If I were to step out on the deck to watch him, he would be gone. So, through a window in need of cleaning, I could only take distant phone pictures, but the moment was made not for a camera, but to simply watch.

He kept his belly above the water’s surface, making no wake, no ripples in his movements. The ripples in the water came from the sloppy mallards nearby, but the heron moved slowly, his still reflection the evidence of his statue stance. His legs moved slowly, methodically, to not disturb the minnows. His long legs, simply reed stalks to the minnows. He’s staring downward, into the water.

Stab! Up comes a minnow and down his throat. The minnows regroup, not knowing where their companion just went. The heron waits. One leg inches forward, so slowly, then the other. The water does not give away his presence. Stab! Another minnow taken.

Time to wait again. The process repeats over and over. Wait and stab. Wait and stab. A dozen or so stabs later… I’ve been watching for 10 minutes or so now, perhaps I can step out to the deck to see him better. I open the sliding door as slowly as he moved through the pond. So far, so good. I try to move through the door out to the deck, and he’s onto me. His massive pterodactyl wings open and lift off, heading to the next pond.

Some moments were meant to only watch. Maybe someday I’ll get decent pictures.

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