Kip’s Comments - November 16, 2025

Observing Without Seeing… Until…

Not every day in the outdoors with a camera results in wildlife images. Sometimes time is invested - intentionally or by default when wildlife cannot be found - scouting by visual observations.

Frequently over the past few weeks I have observed a lone great blue heron “fishing” in shallow waters of the Wapsipinicon River. This morning I searched for the heron but just could not locate the bird.

Eventually I made an observation that told me I was getting closer, at least to where the heron had been. A generous display of fresh great blue heron whitewash told a telling story of the bird’s presence. The challenge would be for me to see the heron.

Great Blue Heron Whitewash - image 1044286

After a couple of hours of searching without finding I opted to call it quits, accepting that somedays you observe and other days you see. A person can only do so much - if the target species is not present, there will be no “seeing” no matter what you do.

Before driving home I made a quick drive along a shallow outflow of the river. Somehow I managed to find the great blue heron as I looked between the many trees along the shore. One spot allowed me to “peak” through the trees to capture this image.

Great Blue Heron - Image 1044255

As I watched the heron it suddenly plunged its head into the water and came back up with a sizable fish in its beak. Even though the fish was doing its best to escape the fatal grip, the heron quickly positioned it to drop down its throat. In a matter of a second or two I watched a fish go from a living being in the water to a “soon-to-die” meal the heron needs to survive.

Great Blue Heron with Fish - Image 1044301

My question after seeing this happen again is… how must it feel to have a fish moving around after being swallowed. No, it likely doesn’t last long, but it was moving actively when swallowed. There had to be some abdominal movement in the digestive tract of the heron.