We live literally a stone’s throw from a series of small
ponds that are home to trout, bluegill, carp and catfish. In addition to the
humans these attract, there are several birds that visit hoping for the taste
of seafood. They each go fishing in their own way. Blue heron stand on the bank
as still as statues, watching the water. Cormorants swim just under the water
in search of dinner. They almost always come up with impossibly large fish in
their beaks, which they somehow swallow whole. Terns hover above the water
until they see something they like. Then they drop like stones to catch it. My
favorites are the white pelicans. They come early in the morning in groups of
five or more. They swim in ever narrowing circles, herding the fish below them
until they come together. Then, on some inaudible cue, they all dip into the
water. Voilà! Breakfast ballet!
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