Questions, Comment, Sightings

Tonight’s post begins with a question. Earlier today I saw several great blue herons feeding along moving water. One bird in particular has caught my attention. This bird had something hanging, likely from the right side of its mouth, that looks abnormal.

I have done some research on great blue heron tongues and found photos showing connecting strands of tissue on both sides of the tongue. I wonder if this bird had its right connective tissue severed while attempting to swallow a fish - a fish that may have had sharp fins - and that may have still been alive and flopping around in the mouth/throat.

Maybe a sharp fin did not cause an injury. If someone has another idea, please share it. Otherwise the bird appeared fine.

Now for a comment. Near the great blue herons I observed several nodding thistle plants. According to my research, these pretty plants are considered invasive weeds. My question is why this plant species had not been removed when the rest of the area has been well-kept. Maybe non-native plant removal is on the agenda for later this week? It is a pretty plant - undesirable or not.

The remainder of tonight’s post consists of sightings from last night and today. There is plenty to see if/when I slow down enough to look.