This afternoon on an inlet of Bodkin Creek the resident snapper caught
the resident green-backed heron by the foot. The heron put up a huge
fight, cheered on by a pair of mallards, a great blue heron, and a pair
of Canada Geese one of whom actually attacked the turtle several times.
After 20 minutes the smaller heron got away, minus a foot (the leg bone
was bare and sticking out) and dragged himself out of the water.
Our assumption was that he would not last long. Would there have been
any purpose in trying to rescue him?
(Not that we had any interest in tangling with the snapping turtle who
is well over 15 inches in diameter.)
Kathy Isaacs |