In previous years, when the weeds grew tall in this field, it was visited by one or more Great Blue Herons
which used the tall weeds and their ability to slowly stalk their prey to feed on some of the many
gophers scattered throughout the field. When I showed up at the park early one morning and saw this GBH, I
realized why it was there so I put myself in good position to watch and photograph the heron successfully stalk,
capture and eat a gopher. I don't know for sure what their success rate is but I think it’s very high. Of the three stalks
I watched, two were successful. However, I don’t know how many stalks it made between when I first arrived and left 2
hours later because at least an hour between the first and second stalk were spent in a different area of the park.
I’m posting this sequence of a successful stalk because I was interested in the actions the GBH takes between hunting
and eating. It’s not enough for it to stalk and capture the gopher, it also then needs to kill the gopher before swallowing
to prevent internal damage to itself. Also, note in several photos how the *nictitating membrane covers
the heron's eye to protect it as the heron is killing the gopher and when the heron has difficulty swallowing it.

Caution: Some of the photos are pretty graphic and may upset some people.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nictitating_membrane

AB2A3543-1W.jpg





The GBH stalks the gopher very slowly. The high grass prevents the heron from being seen by the gopher.



After a careful stalk, the heron must strike quickly to prevent the gopher from disappearing down its hole.



When a gopher is captured, the GBH does its best to insure the gopher is dead before attempting to swallow it.



The heron has grabbed the gopher by the throat and may be crushing its windpipe or just breaking its neck



The heron appears to be applying great pressure to the body of the gopher



The GBH once again has the gopher by the throat and is shaking it from side-to-side.



The GBH is continuing to shake the gopher.



The heron appears to be satisfied the gopher is now dead and is preparing to swallow it.



The gopher is beginning to be swallowed.



The gopher is almost completely down the throat of the heron.



The gopher is no longer visible but has not yet been swallowed.



The heron has still not swallowed the gopher.



The nictitating membrane over the heron's right eye is visible as it is having difficulty swallowing the gopher.



Gopher is still not swallowed and if you look closely, you'll see the gopher's tail just below the right eye of the heron.



Heron appears to be choking on the gopher and trying to dislodge it. Once again,
notice the nictitating membrane and the gopher's tail to the left of the heron's right eye.



The heron's contortions may have helped it finally swallow the gopher but the nictitating membrane over the right eye is still visible.



The heron is showing signs that the swallowing is going to be successful.



The swallowing process is still progressing but the heron looks more relaxed and ready to hunt for another gopher.