Great Blue Heron With Fish 3446

Oh interesting! That must be some hungry bird! Still, it seems difficult to me that the bird can deal with this huge fish! So the bird was actually able to fit (swallowed alive?!) that whole thing down its long/skinny throat completely somehow?? I have never witnessed an event like this before. I feel somewhat perplexed over how it actually happens, wouldn't the fish stand a chance of escaping or even damaging (it’s sharp fins, wriggling, biting, etc.) the bird's throat/stomach if eaten in that condition?! It’s hard for me to imagine that the formidable-looking fish (wouldn't the prey also go into a desperate "survival mode" once it realized that it hit the stomach?) doesn't turn around inside the elastic gullet and how the bird can keep down/digest such an object with no issues? I don't have much knowledge about these events and am mostly curious, I appreciate any feedback/explanation. Sorry for all of the questions, have a good week ;)

Hi Kyle, the heron won that match. Yes, the fish struggled while being swallowed, and for a bit afterwards, It was obvious in the bird's esophagus. I didn't have the opportunity to watch beyond that. Sorry, I don't know what kind of fish. Thanks for reaching out! I appreciate your kind compliment!

Amazing capture! That looks like a huge fish (do you know what kind?) caught and not too happy to be staring down its captor's throat here! So does the Heron really manage to win the battle and gulp that whole thing okay? Does the fish put up a good fight, if eaten does the unlucky prey get swallowed wriggling all the way down as well?!

Nice gallery!