Heron Eating Bass

Over the lips, through the gums, look out tummy - here it comes.
Great Blue Heron consuming a 12 inch 3/4 lb. wide mouth bass in one gulp.

[@ultimatemexicano3535]

Amazing footage! That looks like a huge (a fully grown, adult Bass?) fish the bird caught! The fish was struggling, but the hungry Heron managed to fully consume (alive?!) it all okay? It looked like the unlucky thing was still desperately kicking inside too! I wonder, does the large fish stand any chance of escaping if eaten in that condition? Maybe it can turn around inside the elastic throat/stomach and has a chance of survival here.

[@devinwilliams2481]

It probably feels nice to fish so it does not

[@ultimatemexicano3535]

@@devinwilliams2481 Oh interesting! That must be some hungry bird! Still, it seems difficult to me how the Heron deals with this particularly large fish! So the bird was actually able to fit (swallowed alive?!) that whole thing down its long/skinny throat completely somehow?? I have never witnessed an event like this before. I feel somewhat perplexed over how it actually happens, wouldn't the fish stand a chance of escaping or even damaging (it’s sharp fins, wriggling, biting, etc.) the bird's throat/stomach if eaten in that condition?! It’s hard for me to imagine that the potential meal (wouldn't the prey also go into a desperate "survival mode" once it realized that it hit the stomach?) doesn't turn around inside the elastic gullet and how the bird can keep down/digest such an object with no issues? I don't have much knowledge about these events and am mostly curious, I appreciate any feedback/explanation. Sorry for all of the questions, you have some other neat shots too, have a nice week 😀