April 7, 2016 Thursday)
A couple of days ago, my blog was about gophers in our yard, and I discussed Dwight’s cat, Pepper, and how much he loves to catch and eat them.
When Dale Pogue read the blog, he told me that he had seen Great Blue Herons standing by gopher holes, patiently waiting for their next meal.
>I watched a Great Blue Heron one day, I think it was on the edge of Little Bay. He waded in the shallows until he saw the small fish he was looking for and speared it with his long sharp bill. With his catch he then waded to the dry land nearby, somehow got the fish loose from his bill and then picked it up in his bill. He chose the dry land just in case the fish got loose. He could just pick it up again, whereas if he was in the water he would lose it. He stretched out his long neck and juggled the fish until it was face down toward the bird’s mouth. Then the Heron loosened his grip and let the fish slide into his mouth and down his throat into his stomach. Mission accomplished.
I would like to see what the Heron does with gophers. Those guys don’t go down without a fight when we catch them ourselves. Wonder what the old bird says to his wife when he gets home and she asks, “How’d your day go, Honey?” “Not so good,” he replies. “Didja ever catch a mean old gopher? Well, it’s an interesting experience.”
Isn’t Rockport wonderful? Where else can you see so many birds of different kinds and fish to your heart’s delight, catching different kinds of fish, and most of them good to eat? Where else can you also enjoy a beautiful sunrise and at the end of the day, a magnificent sunset? Where can you get seafood at a table overlooking boats loaded with shrimp, oysters and fish? Or, if you like, choose another restaurant where the big white pelicans feast right outside the window by your table? Where can you find so many friendly, interesting people? And when you go to any of the churches of Rockport and the area towns, you discover a world of love for people. Fifty-two years ago, after moving into the old parsonage in downtown Rockport, Simon Sorenson came to the house to do some plumbing work. A lifelong resident of the city, he told me, “Rockport will grow on you.” He was right.