Heron in the Big City

[QuietOne]

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.

[QuietOne]

Boy, did he know I was there.
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[QuietOne]

Twice he decided I was close enough and took off.

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[JAS_Photo]

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?

[Hillbillygirl]

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

[Bambi]

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

[Marko]

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

[kat]

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

[QuietOne]

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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[Mad Aussie]

Excellent shots. Really like those ones of him posing on the rock! Looks like he's doing a comedy routine :)

[QuietOne]

So maybe he's got an act at Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Club?