Fishing Partners at the Viera Wetlands

[Ira Runyan]

While at the Viera Wetlands today I observed an Otter swimming in a pool of water.



Within a couple of minutes, a Great Blue Heron flew over and landed about 4' from the Otter.



The Otter was quickly swimming around the pool of water which would spook fish to just below the water surface, and the Great Blue Heron would capture the fish when they got within range. The GBH would follow the Otter around the pool and repeated the process several times. In a 20 minute period of time, I saw the bird capture 4 fish with the help of the Otter.

[CERAMICMIKE]

Excellent images, Ira. As I am writing this post, I can see a heron in the cow field opposite my house. I think he must me an old boy, because he just stands amongst the cows for an absolute age and he is there day after day - he must certainly feel comfortable amongst his bovine companions. Today was forecast as a bright sunny day, but it's overcast again - there is still some hope for good light. I will be taking my camera out to my local wetlands around midday.

[paulnj]

Very neat story and nice images too.