Hi All

I birded a few places around Dorchester County yesterday (Sat 2/10). Driving near the Blackwater NWR headquarters, I noticed a Great Blue Heron standing near the road, holding a large dead frog in its bill. Over the course of the next five minutes or so, and with much maneuvering and contortions, the heron finally swallowed the frog whole. It reminded me of the antics of the starfish-swallowing Glaucous-winged Gulls in California. I took a few photos of the whole procedure from the car, which are posted here:

http://www.chlorophonia.com/gbhe_02102007.htm

I'm wondering if anyone can shed some light on the identity of the frog? I was shooting into the sun and through branches, so I'm afraid the frog isn't all that clear - the best view is probably the first image, albeit of the frog's underside.  Thanks in advance for any insights.

Other interesting birds included an American Bittern along Elliott Island Road (link below), two Short-eared Owls in the marsh near Bestpitch (link below - sorry, distant shots only) and some 70 Tree Swallows in the Hooper's Island area.

http://www.chlorophonia.com/ambi_02102007.htm
http://www.chlorophonia.com/seow_02102007.htm

Best wishes

Stephen






Stephen J. Davies
Silver Spring, MD, USA

www.chlorophonia.com