What is the large pink structure in this heron's throat? I have never seen anything like this before.
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What is the large pink structure in this heron's throat? I have never seen anything like this before.
Actually, it's the heron's throat. His neck is pushing it upwards from below, so it looks like an organ, but it's really just the skin being pushed backwards. I have one of a yawning Brown Pelican like that that I'll try to dig up later. It looks positively alien.
Nice capture Tom. I think what we are seeing in the heron is reminiscent of what is happening here in a Laughing Gull. You can see the bottom of the mouth where the tongue is attached being pushed up.
John: I think Tom's photo is showing to distinct things that people aren't used to seeing. The first, and smaller, is the base of the tongue which is the same thing that your Laughing Gull shows. The second is the inside of the throat which requires a long neck with the head and throat kind of pushed down on it. I've labeled the parts (from a screen snap application, not a photo editing program, so please forgive me Tom if I've butchered your image).
Attachment 132431
Makes sense Paul. On looking at the heron image you can imagine the actual neck pushing out the throat from behind.
Here's a shot I took a couple of years ago showing the same thing. As in Tom's image, the head is kinda tucked in also, so it makes sense that the heron's long neck is stuffed in the mouth in that position....talk about a lump in your throat!
http://jimbuescher.zenfolio.com/img/...43196696-4.jpg
Thanks to everybody for all the information, discussion and photos regarding this Green Heron.
Tom, I dug up the pelican shot I mentioned. It shows the same effect as your photo, though maybe in a little more dramatic fashion.
Attachment 132507
