The Night Stalker, Black Crowned Night Herons stalking big fish

Black Crowned Night Heron catching big fish.

[@user-oj4gs3zv6x]

Wonderful

[@cint4408]

I went to El Dorado after seeing some of your videos. The night heron I saw there employed a different tactic - it was sitting on the bench of a picnic table seemingly waiting for someone to come by with snacks. Got a cute photo. Also saw gophers for the first time in my life. Thanks for all the great info in your videos.

[@jimzenor9148]

Very cool. I remember once seeing a guy sitting on a table and four night herons were there sitting on the table with him. I’m sure he was feeding them something like sardines. I have videoed these night herons hunting gophers and even a couple strikes at them but it is something for the future hopefully. When they get ready to strike, they sway sideways in that heron kind of dance that is really amazing to me. I saw one flying with a gopher once and eating that huge meal at a pond there but I was about a second late with the video. Gophers are hard to find there but I probably know better than most where the best places are. I have a video over a year ago which shows a night heron taking a big meaty bone from garbage and taking it to the water and dropping it and then waited using the bone as bait for a fish or crayfish. They are very clever.

[@ASP11290]

Thanks for spending your time on these videos, Jim.

[@jimzenor9148]

You are very welcome. It is something I enjoy doing. I’m always learning new things.

[@WildlifeClips365]

Superb Jim!

[@jimzenor9148]

Thanks. I can really see how developing some experience with Great Blue Herons chasing gophers helped me video these guys staking fish. Hopefully I’ll find some gopher hunters soon.

[@LORDCRIMSONANUBIANFOX]

I’ve had the same issue with great blue herons, I’ve spent half a day and they never caught anything, felt like I waisted a part of my life that day, but when I get the awesome shots it makes up for it and is well worth it

[@jimzenor9148]

So true. Great Blues are easier for me because they usually give me a little warning so I don’t have to keep one eye closed and the other looking through the viewfinder. I keep looking for the Great Blue Herons Hunting mammals but it has been tough lately.

[@p47koji]

Remind me... Why did you stop shooting at Eldo?

[@jimzenor9148]

I went there this morning and I regularly drive through to check if the heron might be hunting gophers. I see a heron about half the time and I have not seen one hunting gophers in a couple months. The gopher situation looks pretty sparse for now. I’ll keep looking. I suspect it will pick up in the fall. Also I do look for night heron and egrets (and anything interesting) at the Eldo.

[@p47koji]

I see... When I left Long Beach for Idaho seven weeks ago, the ground in my backyard was like fired clay... Rock hard. Maybe that could be a reason. Two Toes wouldn't appreciate a broken bill... 😉

[@jimzenor9148]

@@p47koji yeah I think that is a likely reason. Two toes was always in West San Gabriel River Park about a mile north. He had a really powerful strike and I could sometimes hear it hit like a golf ball or even feel the vibration in my feet. They poisoned the gophers pretty successfully in the Eldo so it is much more challenging. There are gophers but they seem to be in isolated area and those left are probably pretty smart in the ways of herons and that ground is harder and drier too I think.