For the days leading up to our Animal Kingdom visit, DD could think only of the turkey leg she was going to have for lunch there. When the time came, we bought four legs and then sat in a nice shaded dining area next to a bubbling brook. Perfect. We settled in and were immediately approached by a great blue heron - one of the many birds that fly in and enjoy that park. He was taller than DD, and took what looked like a friendly interest in her. She asked if she could give him a piece of her turkey, and I said let me do it first - to make sure he was tame, you know. I work with wilds and have a darn good ability to read a mammal, but birds can be more decieving. I offer, he politely accepts. Everyone offers, he repeats his mannerly acceptance. Next thing you know, he's turned into the eccentric uncle who shows up unexpectedly and says "Hey, let's all go to WDW!" H's ours, he assures us, for life. We think he's weird, but we al love him anyway. We all give him turkey. Lots of turkey. Those legs are huge - much to big for any of us to eat, but not Uncle Heron. He seems to be a bottomless pit. graciously taking our offerings, and giving us best friend looks, but his hunger knew no limits. After a while dh and I become concerned we may be making him sick. The turkey isn't the problem- most carnivorous birds eat birds. But by now he's eaten as much as a whole leg, and besides, it's salty. We decide to cut him off, and begin suggesting he pack up and go. He resists, so DH turns off the video camera, gathers up the remainders of lunch and tosses it in the trash. His eyes flash angry. Now, he's not just a carnivor, but a mass murderer, bent on revenge. We're relieved when he stomps off, thinking it was just a bit of show. But he goes about 4 yards away, to the bubbling brook, and within about 4 seconds, yanks out Mickey - a rat larger than a squirrel and just smaller than a full grown cat. (this predated Remy) While it flails in his beak he walks a couple yards closer and eats it right in front of us, never once taking his eyes off of us.
I can't help wondering if Alfred Hitchcock came back as a heron, because this guy had the same talent for suspense and timing as the director had.