Great Blue Heron ponders how to eat a catfish whole

Okay, you're a Great Blue Heron and you have caught a big catfish for your meal.  How do you eat it? 

Well, you play with it and poke it with your beak for about 20 minutes. (repeat poking and playing as necessary). Then you are ready for the "big swallow" (see bottom photo). 

This was taken at Cattail Marsh Scenic Wetlands and Boardwalk in Tyrrell Park in Beaumont, TX -- a popular birding spot.

Excuse the fuzziness -- but this heron was a long way away and wasn't going to tolerate me getting any closer (fearing I would steal his meal).

Blue Heron stands sentry at fishing grounds

Despite the fact that this Great Blue Heron seems to favor this Mishawaka, IN, park as a favorite fishing hole, he didn't seem to be having much luck the day we spent some time together.  The spot is in Central Park at a small dam.  You can see the splash from the dam in the background.