Furthering My Education

Since the rain had let up, we intended to go for a walk on the river levee, but got waylaid on the bank by this blue heron. We spent all of our time watching it hunt, fascinated by its slow careful stepping. Like a cat, it crouched lower and lower, then suddenly lunged that lovely golden beak and came up with--a gopher! Sorry, but I had NO idea that herons ate gophers. After a gentle shake, it swallowed the rodent whole, quite a feat for that gorgeous long neck.