Winter is a tough season for birds. Frost makes it necessary to burn extra calories to keep warm and snow makes it hard to obtain water and food, the first necessaries of life. Grey herons are birds that I personally associate with winter. Honestly, I don't know why. Is it their colours that fit perfectly with the grey and white tones of winter? Is it their effective way to survive the harsh conditions? Is it their typical posture that communicates resignation? Nevertheless, 2010 started with an abundant winter and the grey herons were one of my favorite photographic motives during the last weeks. Some of them are usually present in the old fishing harbour of Elburg. The authentic fishing boats of Elburg, called botters, and a frozen snow-covered harbour form a nice decor. It is there where I observed the incredible fishing efficiency of grey herons. They stand motionless next to a hole in the ice (they only need a small hole of about 10-20 cm!). Suddenly they observe a fish near the surface, slowly and determined they move towards their prey, and then ............... within a split second ............. a sudden attack with their dagger-like bill. About fifty (!!!) percent of those attacks are succesfull. I saw one individual catch about 5 small fish within a quarter of an hour. It will not die of starvation. Please enjoy the pictures of these wonderful animals!
Cheers, Dirk-Jan
