Watching this fascinating bird has been teaching me so much that I feel like his visits are a special gift to me. Once he orients himself after landing he will stand real still and watch and listen. Then you will see his neck stretch way out holding it horizontally parallel to the ground. He will stay that way while listening the whole time. All of the sudden he will strike the ground engaging in what looks like a vicious game of tug of war. Then will one last tug he persists and claims his prize. A large mole is now hanging from his long orange bill. With a flap of his majestic wings he flies away to his home on our pond! That is the amazing scene I have seen repeatedly over the last several weeks.