It was dark and misting with a very low tide in Patten Bay when I got to the mouth of Patten Stream. In a word, it was gloomy; I immediately decided to leave if a scan turned up nothing interesting. Then, a great blue heron moved from behind the rockweed-draped rocks to stalk a school of small fish. A great blue’s slow, gangling grace on the hunt is fascinating.
The heron stalked into an area where the light was mostly behind him. He immediately was transformed into a double silhouette, he and his shadow slowly but steadily approaching his prey. Reptilian in a way.
Before the great blue could strike in this dark drama, a snowy egret suddenly swooped into the area on soundless wings, apparently seeing the same school of small fish. This disrupted everything. The surprise contrast simply was jolting. It was like an angel – pure, startlingly bright white – suddenly appearing with a message atop dark waters on a dreary day. This message was confusion.
I forgot it was raining and watched the two hunters use their different styles looking for the small fish that got away.
(Images taken in Surry, Maine, on August 28, 2024; sexes assumed for better narration.)