Great Blue Heron w/Greater Siren captured by Z 9 / 500PF w/TC-14eIII
Cruising Lake Kissimmee, we saw lots of amazing birds going about their daily life. While we mostly had blinders on looking for just Snail Kites, some things stopped us in our tracks. We had seen days before a Great Blur Heron (GBH) with a Rice Rat in its bill, we’d all seen that before. On this morning we’d already seen lots of GBH but this one stopped the airboat in its tracks! What the hey does the GBH have in its grasp?
Great Blue Heron w/Greater Siren captured by Z 9 / 500PF w/TC-14eIII
As we watched the scene trying to decipher what we were seeing, the GBH flew a short distance and closer to us. When it took to the air, we could see just how long this thing was and we were shocked! Long, black, slimy, it was pretty alien. Even our guide was befuddled about what the heck we were seeking. The Z 9 / 500 permitted us to zoom in on the photo and we could see two, tiny legs along with more slim on a rubber-looking body then we cared to see. After we got back to shore and did a little research, it was determined is was a Great Siren, North America’s largest salamander. If it wasn’t disgusting looking enough, what we witnessed next put it over the top!
Great Blue Heron w/Greater Siren captured by Z 9 / 500PF w/TC-14eIII
The dang thing was still wiggling! We saw the GBH “pecking” at it, they didn’t look like killing blows to me. And before we could get closer to it, the GBH with the greatest of ease, swallowed the WHOLE thing in seconds! Ooo yuck! The GBH acted as it does it all the time, it probably does but I’d never seen nor photographed such a thing ever! It happened so fast, was so disgusting, all I could say was, what the hey?