Gary's back!

Gary the Green Heron made his first appearance of the season this week, dropping in for a breakfast of minnows this morning. Kathleen watched as Gary made himself at home, choosing the best spot on the pond, Turtle Island. The painted turtles don't mind, there will be no sunning today anyway, just much-needed rain. Shakopee was largely by-passed during two regional rainstorm events earlier this week, so we're hopeful today's forecasted action hits us big with an inch or so.
By the way, Gary is named to honor Gary Klatt, the most intelligent, cunning, fisherman Stan knows. (Coincidentally, our new neighbor is also named Gary, so we had some explaining to do.) The green heron is considered to be among the most intelligent of birds because it uses tools.

"Green herons are one of the few species of animal known to use tools. In particular, they commonly use bread crusts, insects, or other items as bait. The bait is dropped onto the surface of a body of water in order to lure fish. When a fish takes the bait, the green heron will then grab and eat the fish." Wikipedia.

Our green heron caught two ordinary minnows without a tool as Kathleen watched. We hope our two-dozen goldfish are now too big and smart for Gary. Our golden girls made it through the winter by hunkering down in the bottom of the pond, it would be a shame to lose them to a Texas snowbird.