This Great Blue may be the same one that stalked, killed and downed some large rats in this grass a year or so ago. (see ; http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/greatblue_hunter ) He was certainly not welcomed back, as the Black-necked Stilts had youngsters just hatched last week, feeding around this island of grass. Dad kept the intruder busy while Mom hustled the young away. Note another male Black-necked Stilt sitting on a nest in the lower right side of the photo.