Great Blue Heron holding a catfish in its bill at Miner’s Cove in Oklahoma

Great Blue Heron Feeding on a Catfish at Miner’s Cove

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A Great Blue Heron had caught more than a small snack at Miner’s Cove. The bird was holding a catfish and working to control it with its long bill.

Great Blue Heron holding a catfish in its bill at Miner’s Cove in Oklahoma
A Great Blue Heron holds a catfish at Miner’s Cove on a late-May morning.

Great Blue Heron Feeding at Miner’s Cove

I photographed this Great Blue Heron on May 31, 2023, at 6:55 A.M. I was at Miner’s Cove in Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma.

The water level had dropped, and more herons and Great Egrets were visiting the cove. Fish and crawdads gave the birds plenty of feeding opportunities.

The heron’s blue-gray feathers and bold head pattern stood out against the water. Its bright eye stayed fixed on the catfish.

The fish was not easy to handle. Its body hung between the heron’s bill, and its stiff spines added another obstacle.

The heron made several small adjustments. It shifted the catfish, opened its bill, and worked toward a firmer grip.

Great Blue Heron repositioning a catfish between its open bill at Miner’s Cove
The heron shifts the catfish in its bill while working toward a firmer grip.

The second frame shows that careful movement. The fish is close to the end of the upper bill, with its fins and spines clearly visible.

I watched another bird deal with similar prey in my post about a Double-crested Cormorant With Catfish.

Photographing the Catfish Catch from My Truck

I photographed the heron from inside my pickup beside the road. That position gave me a clear view without stepping into the open.

A beanbag draped over the truck window supported the camera and lens. It provided a steady platform while letting me follow the heron’s movements.

The early hour required a high ISO. I also wanted enough shutter speed to stop the moving bill and fish.

Camera settings for Photo 1:

  • Camera: Canon EOS R5
  • Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
  • Focal length: 500 mm
  • Aperture: f/8
  • Shutter speed: 1/2000 second
  • ISO: 5000
  • Exposure compensation: 0
  • Support: Beanbag draped over truck window
  • Date and time: May 31, 2023, at 6:55 A.M.
Great Blue Heron carrying a medium-sized catfish above the water at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Water trails from the catfish as the Great Blue Heron holds it above the surface.

The third frame offers another close view of the catch. Water trails from the fish while the heron holds it above the surface.

Why This Heron Encounter Stood Out

Great Blue Herons often give me time to watch their hunting methods. Still, each catch presents a different challenge.

This catfish required careful handling. The three photographs show how the heron controlled the fish and kept adjusting its grip.

Moments like this are why I return to Miner’s Cove. A familiar bird can still produce an unforgettable wildlife encounter.