One of the things we’ve known about having outdoor fish as pets, is that trouble could lurk. Ok, trouble more than likely will lurk. No, take that all back, trouble WILL in fact lurk. And if we’re not careful, a really big problem could arise. And the fish could be no more in a matter of days.

As we’ve heard, birds are the biggest threat.

And yesterday morning, the egret landed in my arms from FedEx. I could not get him out of the wrapping fast enough. As we needed back-up “Right Away”!

Standing at a whopping 41″ tall, I’d say he looks pretty cool and real to life. Don’t you think?

So, the hubs ordered the egret as a decoy. As we know, birds do not share space while hunting for food. And we learned that a large statue of an egret would send a heron flying for the hills.

I love that the hubs is all about protecting our babies. The Egret stands as Top Cover and more reinforcement is on the way. The hubs also ordered a Scarecrow Motion Activated Sprinkler.

The cool feature about the scarecrow, is that it will blast the bejeebers out of anything that moves. I’m fond of the motion sensor feature with an unexpected noise. It’s harmless, but quite effective to any creäture who dare crosses the line.

All the above to say, we had our first encounter with a heron on Monday, just 4 days after our fish arrived. As good luck would have it, I so happened to hear something coming in for a landing. Right there in front of me he was there, a huge heron! And I yelled “GET OUT OF HERE!”

Now, I’m not one to yell, but when it comes to protecting, I surprised myself. And that would be a first that I have ever yelled at a heron on my patio or anywhere for that matter.

That guy (I don’t even think he fully landed) went, up, up and away as if his dear life depended on it! Don’t tell him, but I would never do anything to hurt that beautiful creature. Just for kicks, do you know that harming one of these guys could result in as much as a $10,000 fine? So yea, I’m going to play, but play nice.

I scared him enough that he didn’t dare come back the rest of the day.

Tuesday – I was ready for the heron, as I had a feeling he would return. And return he did. I was out on the patio when I heard him coming in for a landing, so I gave him another tongue lashing.

And over he flew and landed in the neighbor’s yard. (Grin) I don’t see much for him to feed on in the neighbor’s backyard. It’s time to move on, young man/lady.

While he did move on, he was back later in the afternoon. But he still could not get past me. I’m learning that I make a pretty darn good blocker, all by my lonesome.

After guarding and protecting the last couple of days, I could hardly wait for the back-up to arrive.

Wednesday = yesterday, the pond was armed and dangerous. VERY dangerous with our brand spankin’ new 41″ egret. Reference the first picture up above. He’s worthy of another little peak.

And just like clockwork, the heron was back!

I could feel the blood race thru my body and my heartbeat was more than just a regular beat. And I was on edge as I watched from inside.

Don’t mind the picture quality of the shot below. It’s just the shot I was able to get looking out from the dining room and thru the screen door and share the proof that he’s been here.

Can you tell he’s scared?

No?

Me neither. Other than the fact that he didn’t dare come any closer.

The heron trolled the mid to upper backyard for nearly 30 minutes. I was the eye from the house looking on as I didn’t want to disturb his behavior. I had to see who was going to win, the “fake” egret or the heron.

May I insert that I had little faith in our fake egret. I really expected some sort of bird fight. And I knew the heron would knock the fake egret over with one swift blow to the head with his long gigantic bill.

For starters, let’s just say, the fake egret did not flinch! He stood his ground. And he made me proud.

But the heron, on the other hand, had some funky movements going on with his very long neck, but he didn’t dare move in.

I could see defeat when the heron lifted up and over to the neighbors backyard where he stayed another 30 or so minutes waiting on the egret to leave.

I have to hand it to the heron, he was one very patient bird, but the egret has patience that will outlast the hunger of the heron.

And one more thing. I played with the heron’s head, I did. I moved that egret 3 x’s yesterday. I hear you’re supposed to move them around, as herons will get wise to one standing in one place for months on end. The pond man told me to move him around at least once every 2 weeks.

So in my mind, I’m playing a game with that heron and he’s going to learn that my fake egret means business.

Just wait ’til the hubs gets his scarecrow motion sensor sprinkler. We will have the safest fish on the block. No worries little babies, we got ya covered.

Blessings – Debbie