He caught my attention fishing for his dinner. He moved so slowly, lifting one mud- dripping foot above the water, and then, after a time, the other. I slowed myself long enough to watch, then, mirroring his movements, I edged my way to the pier with the binoculars. I feared that if I even breathed too hard, he would fly away, but he was too intent on his fishing to notice me.
Patience does have its rewards. As slow and careful as was his approach, his attack came swiftly and sure. He plunged his beak into the water, one shot, and lifted his prey into the air.... a wide, dinner plate-sized FLOUNDER! This was a literal can't believe my eyes moment. I had expected a minnow or some minor fish, but not for Big Blue. What a prize! He lifted it triumphantly into the air, and then, more surprises, plunged it back into the water.
For the next 10 minutes, he washed the flounder, dunking it repeatedly. He carried it to a spit of land, and placed it on the sand. Not good enough, he picked it up, waded back into the water, and washed it again. Then, while I blinked through the binoculars, he swallowed his flounder in one huge gulp.
I am a longtime watcher of nature shows, and I have rarely seen anything more thrilling than this magnificent bird at work. I think it is the quality of being present that made the scene so wonderful... filled with wonder.
Please come back soon, Big Blue, you are my friend and better than television by far.
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