Heron in the Big City

OK, so Boise isn't that big. As I said in another post, this guy was hanging out at the train depot. Very aware that I was there, ready to flee at a moment's notice, but more tolerant of people than the other herons I've seen. The first couple of pictures are to give a sense of how tolerant.

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The runners are a local track team doing wind sprints up and down the road into the depot. The road leads into the heart of downtown. And the koi pond I mentioned. The water was too murky to get photos of the fish.

Boy, did he know I was there.
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Twice he decided I was close enough and took off.

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Cool Dude (the bird)! Aren't Koi ornamental fish that someone would probably prefer were not eaten by a big old blue/grey bird no matter how cool of a bird it was?

Nice capture of the inflight, even with the busy background.
Yes, Koi would be expensive dining for sure, obviously an upper class heron.

this heron has obviously decided that the taste of Koi is worth the risk! these are great captures! thanks.

Very cool set - I'm loving the 2 shots in post 3:highfive:

The last shot is really good. Love the people on the rock. :)

Maybe this heron has a Diner's Club card, to help with his expensive tastes.

They're opportunistic birds. They'll eat anything they can catch and wrestle down their throats. I've seen one beat a snake bloody against a rock. I could hear the crack across the river. I've seen photos of them eating large frogs and ducklings. And as you can see below, a good sized catfish is an easy meal. I actually saw that one fly away with the fish still speared on the beak!
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I'm not sure they're very bright. I was standing on a deck next to the river, very lightly screened by leaves. I was quite visible, and he looked my way every time I moved. But I guess he couldn't figure out what I was, so he went back to fishing.
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Excellent shots. Really like those ones of him posing on the rock! Looks like he's doing a comedy routine :)