Watching herons fish (or hunt, depending on how you see it) can be very interesting. They generally employ one of two methods. Often, they will stand nearly motionless and wait for the prey to come to them. Other times they will slowly wade as they search for a meal. When a heron spots a potential target, they will turn their head from side to side or lower it in an attempt to get a fix and prepare for the strike. A third and less often used method is for herons to dive at prey from the air. I've only witnessed this once.
Attempting to photograph herons catching a meal often requires a lot of patience as meals can be few and far between sometimes. I've watched a heron for a long time, looked away for a few seconds and then back, only to see the heron swallowing a fish. It happens that fast and you have to be ready or you'll miss it. The wait can reward you, though, which makes it worthwhile to me. Understanding the behavior of any wildlife subject can help you anticipate good shots.
Linking to World Bird Wednesday
