FLOODS, FISH, and FOOD. These are just some of the ingredients that allowed local wildlife, and some beginning migratory shore bird arrivals, to focus on food. Where there is food, it seems wildlife will explore and exploit it while it lasts. Flood waters from recent high rain events caused an overflowing river to make a large but shallow

large area of water adjacent to Highway 14 near Marshalltown’s north side. For a short time, these waters offered food in the form of small fish, aquatic insects and insect larvae.

We may call them bugs, a general generic term for insects we do not know. For small birds, food is food. Eat and live to survive another day.

Enjoy the images I am offering to you today. They are my featured creatures that inspired this author to admire and learn more about another natural history moment.

When a concentration of Great Egrets, about 30 of them, maybe more, were observed standing in the shallow flood waters, I used the chance to capture images of these tall heron-like wading water birds. My photos depict just part of the great egret assemblage.

From the vantage point of my truck’s open window while parked off the shoulder of Highway 14, I tried counting the big white birds. I know I did not see them all. However, it was good to try.

With my Nikon camera and 400 mm lens, I aspired to record compositions to illustrate the interactions of these flying fisher birds. Most of

their feeding takes place by patiently standing, then wading slowly and watching intently for vulnerable little fish or insects near the

surface.

A quiet stab of their beak from a long coiled neck periodically thrusts downward into the water. The result is a wiggling morsel stuck inside the beak of the herons or egrets. A quick flip of the birds head while opening their beaks allowed for a quick swallowing whole of the snack they just impaled.

In the group image of many birds, do look carefully for the more camouflaged gray plumage of Great Blue Herons. There are several in that image.

Of course the white plumage of the Great Egrets is a stand out that easily draws our eye. While watching the birds, a far away egret flew directly toward another egret, evidently with the intent of usurping a food rich spot.

An air chase began. It was like a miniature air battle between two slow flying WWI airplanes, although without machine guns. The bird that had been enjoying fish captures gave way while his airborne pursuer took over the former food rich spot.

Later that morning, I made a swing through Riverside Cemetery. The usual Great Blue Heron was perched upon its floating island.

The bird slowly and with much grace of its large wing flaps, took off and cruised over to land again nearer the shoreline rock wall. I was lucky in the fact that the heron was much closer to my truck. A quick placement of my long lens out the truck window assured me of new potential wildlife story moments.

My “Kodak moment” was about to be realized. While watching the heron through the camera, the big bird slowly lowered its head and concentrated on something.

Quick as a flash, its head flashed into the water. Out came the head a second later with a goldfish morsel secured in its beak. I rapid fired off a streak of images as the wiggling little orange fish wiggled its last wiggle.

The heron made quick work of its fishing skill and swallowed breakfast. It then flew back to its island perch to await its next adventure.

Herons and Egrets share many common things. They are long legged and have a small slender body but do have big wings for easy flying and

graceful gliding.

It takes only two strong wing beats to become airborne and at cruising speed. A sharp long beak is designed for spearing. Both species can be found in freshwater, or even salt water habitats or agricultural fields.

In fields these birds will take small mammals, insects or frogs. Anything within striking distance of their long necks and sharp beaks may result in a new food to eat.

Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons are common, not rating any special concerns by conservationists. However, like all wildlife, some are more specific in foods and habitats. Others are more generalists and have a high capacity to adjust to many habitats and a host of food types. The latter is the case for these big wading water birds. Wetland habitats are their preferred place to nest near, to feed at, and to rest patiently in nearby trees.

Each species will weigh about 2.5 pounds, have wingspans of 5.5 feet, and stand tall with body lengths of 37 to 40 inches. The Great Egret is

the symbol used by the Audubon Society for their mascot, starting from a long time ago as one of the oldest environmental organizations in the

United States.

Feathers on these egrets have a unique appeal during the breeding season. Long fluffy white plumes will grow from its back.

Biologists call these plumes aigrettes. During the 19th century market hunters shot these egrets just to supply the then trendy women’s

fashion need for white feathers in their fancy hats. Realizing that this fashion trend did not bid well for the long term population of egrets, John James Audubon and others rallied against the fashion trend.

That is in part how the Audubon Society was established.

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From the website The Venatic ([http:thevenatic.beehiiv.cm]http:thevenatic.beehiiv.cm) comes an interesting story of survival. It happened in British Columbia, Canada’s Cariboo region. To summarize this survival story, a man went exploring near a place west of the Fraser River. His truck broke down.

He was a long way from anyone. His family became concerned and called the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). A long search took place with no real clues to where to look. This part of Canada is wild and remote and unforgiving of human mistakes.

The search went on for nine days. Authorities likened the search as looking for a small needle in a very very big haystack. Finally, on the ninth day of searching, the vehicle was sighted.

Not long after that, clues developed of finding a crude shelter and the word “HELP” written with mud upon a large rock. This was at least 5 km from the lost man’s truck.

Rescue helicopter crew members located the lost man, still alive after nine days, weak, malnourished and dehydrated. Just in time, the rescue took place.

He was flown to a hospital at Williams Lake. While he was in rough condition, 39-year-old Andrew Barber, would live to see another day, week, month and many years into the future.

Barber told rescuers that he drank unclean pond water and ate plant matter in his attempt to stay alive. He had sustained an injury to his leg. Otherwise this man was determined to survive. Given that this incident happened this summer is a good thing. During fall or winter with bad weather, the outcome would have likely become fatal.

Congrats to the RCMP search teams for never giving up.

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Reminder: a Hunter Safety class is set for Aug. 21 and 23 at the Marshall County chapter of the Izaak Walton League. Sign ups are accomplished online by going to this website: http://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/Event/EventsHome.aspx.

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Garry Brandenburg is the retired director of the Marshall County Conservation Board. He is a graduate of Iowa State University with a BS degree in Fish & Wildlife Biology.

Contact him at:

P.O. Box 96

Albion, IA 50005