Herons

Today's the day ………………..... to lay in wait

These herons (ten of them in this picture) have been standing like this for most of the day - just a stone's throw from our cottage on the Isle of Mull(see extra).

Why they would choose to do this is still a bit of a mystery - to us at least - but I daresay it has something to do with food.  That's the driver for most of the animal kingdom.  But why would they all gather in the one place - and what sort of meal are they expecting? 

The tide was in at this point and when it had gone out sufficiently, they did all move down on to the beach - but they stayed together.  They resumed the watching game over rocky pools on the shore.  Sometimes on their own - but often with a couple of them at the same pool.  They're still there now, so I hope it has been a profitable day for them.

It says in my book that the collective noun for a group of herons is a 'seige'.  That's a perfect description of what they've been up to today ......................