As someone who enjoys water gardening and keeping koi in a garden pond, herons are always a threat to their survival, but they really are beautiful birds, hence the love/hate relationship.

Where we walk our two dogs, I have been aware of a heron nesting site right out in the middle of the lake and it's only the acquisition of a 300mm zoom lens that has enabled me to see what is going on.  Somewhat ungainly and almost prehistoric in appearance, these three will now doubt be creating terror in a few Berkshire ponds soon….

Great capture, Gordon.

Recommend these sites for further interest:

http://www.ephotozine.com/

http://www.wildaboutbr…/pictures/uploadroute.php

I have a portfolio (ddolfelin) in the top one.
You need to join but the pics on there are fabulous (not mine - they're rubbish in comparison).

Just like this, Gordon:-




Taken from my bedroom window on 1st Feb this year!!

OK Geoff don't leave us in suspense, what happened next?

I decided to try to keep my fish so I opened the window and the heron flew off. However it has been back many times, but just cannot reach the fish which are canny enough to sink to the lower level. Here is the heron making out with a neighbour's TV aerial:-

So, all's well that ends well then. Fortunate fish and unlucky heron.

Gordon, as a fellow keeper of koi can you or anyone else confirm if herons do infact taste of chicken :twisted:

I don't know, but believe me I have been oh so tempted on so may occasions.  Touch wood, we seem to be OK at the moment.  A decent criss cross of 60lb fishing line makes it pretty difficult for them, although we have had one of two try to 'limbo' under the wire…

You don't realise just how big a full size adult is until they are down at ground level.

[user=2]Robert[/user] wrote:

So, all's well that ends well then. Fortunate fish and unlucky heron.

Oh I don't know about unlucky Heron.  It and the aerial look very happy.  The wedding won't be up to much much but the reception will be great.

Booooooo !!!

[user=396]gordons19[/user] wrote:

I don't know, but believe me I have been oh so tempted on so may occasions. Touch wood, we seem to be OK at the moment. A decent criss cross of 60lb fishing line makes it pretty difficult for them, although we have had one of two try to 'limbo' under the wire…

You don't realise just how big a full size adult is until they are down at ground level.

My garden is actually slightly uphill from the back door and my pond is raised which makes them look even bigger, as they look down on me.

I have also been blessed by several ducks this year which have turned the pond from gin clear to a Guiness thick colour in about three days, my cats are hopeless as the ducks seem to laugh at them from mid water and my boarder collie, Max, seems to be more protective of them than the pond:twisted:.