See this pair of fine-looking feathered friends that are posing so nicely for me?
Mere moments before I snapped this photo, these two were hugging the seawall while intently studying the water for fish. You see Coan Lake may be manmade, disgustingly algae-laden at times, but fishing at this venue is a popular pastime.
But here’s the catch, if you’ll please pardon the pun – every angler must toss each fish they hook back into the water.
Well, that’s a bummer since Heritage Park stocks Coan Lake with lots of fish and who doesn’t like a fish fry, the perfect taste of Summer, although Michigan anglers fish year-around.
However, not everyone has to abide by the rules about fresh fish – yes, there is some wiggle room because the waterfowl and seabirds that lurk about this three-acre pond routinely partake in the all-you-can-eat fish buffet.
The backstory ‘bout these birds.
On July 4th, under a searing sun, I returned to Heritage Park. You may recall I was hopeful for updated shots of MY ducklings and I was curious if there were any Barn Swallow babies in the rafters of the covered bridge. It was high noon and the walk had become more of a trudge since it was the second stop of the day. The resident Double-crested Cormorant and resident Great Blue Heron caught my eye as both were poised at the shoreline, eyes respectively trained on the water.
I sensed a catch was imminent. I knew they weren’t really fishing buddies and probably would NOT share whatever fish was caught.
So, there I stood, camera in hand, trigger finger, er … index finger at the ready to capture a shot of which bird would prevail and enjoy a fish lunch.
Do you remember a while back when I missed a shot of a Cedar Waxwing because two photographers kept pointing and telling me “there it is, right in that snag!” Getting that coveted shot was complicated because the word “snag” was not in Linda’s lexicon. Afterward I mused that perhaps I should have an ongoing feature called “The One That Got Away” – I certainly don’t mind poking fun at myself.
The one that got away!
Back to the Cormorant and Heron … as WE all waited expectantly for the catch of the day, the joke would not only be on me for missing the shot, but on my fine-feathered friends as well because suddenly, a Ring-billed Seagull, no stranger to the swoop-and-grab technique, skimmed the water, poked its bill down and came up with a fish, most likely THEIR fish. This escapade happened just a few feet from all of us and so quickly that I missed the shot of that Seagull’s fishing prowess, so for me, the hapless photographer, it was indeed the one that got away.
But for the Heron and Cormorant, it was to be their lunch.
In a heartbeat, the pair whirled around and faced me as if to say “what just happened here Linda? Our fishing skills were usurped by a lesser bird, a Seagull that swiped our lunch!” (Their indignation at the Seagull is the photo you see in the featured image.)
“I get it” I told them – “I mean … I missed the shot!”
This encounter was reminiscent of the many times my Park squirrels were left dumbfounded after a brazen Blue Jay swooped down to swipe a peanut right in front of them. Yes, déjà vu indeed! The squirrels would look at me, as if I, a mere mortal, controlled that bully bird’s behavior. And yes, of course, I doled out more peanuts or sunflower seeds to make them feel better.
Regrets … well, yes there were a few.
So, back to that bully Seagull. If a thought bubble floated over each of our heads, it might read “how did I not see this coming?” Or perhaps “if only I had been a wee bit quicker!” As for me, I chocked up that missed shot to the heat – my wagon was draggin’ by then.
Yes we collectively bemoaned the one that got away!
Moments later my feathered friends both departed in a huff, miffed that their lack of fish-nabbing skills had clearly been on display.
The Cormorant did a quick flyover, then plopped into Coan Lake – maybe it could nab a fish underwater?
I saw it pop up on the other side of the pond where it flew over to the grassy shoreline, distancing itself from both of us, but eventually it went back near the covered bridge – evidently the fishin’ is good there and I was able to get these shots of the still-pouting Cormorant with those mesmerizing turquoise eyes. It looks like its foot, as well as its pride, was injured.
As for the Heron, it stood there gobsmacked for a few seconds …
… then flew off in a huff, squawking as Herons are wont to do.
It likewise traversed Coan Lake, then landed across from the Water Wheelhouse …
… where it might have considered jumping into a fountain to cool off, but did not do so.
Taking very long strides, it returned to exactly where it was before, still fairly close to me, but not near the Cormorant. I was able to get some shots of its stealthy moves as it began its laborious fishing routine anew. I did not stick around to see if it was successful this time.
And that my friends is OUR tale of the one that got away!
I’m joining Terri’s Challenge this week: “A Taste of Summer”.



































































































































