One of the biggest beach towns on the "Redneck Riveria," Pensacola is primarily known for its sugar-white beaches and emerald Gulf waters. But just like the rest of the Sunshine State, it's also home to some incredible wildlife- and we're not just talking gators.
Josie, aka @jfreakingwise on TikTok, recently took a Panhandle vacay to enjoy the summer weather from Pensacola Beach. While watching the waves one afternoon, she spotted a local woman hanging out with an unlikely companion- a majestic blue heron!
Click here to watch the video.
This woman and her flying friend brought a whole new meaning to "lunch date on the beach!" The unusual pair walked down the shoreline together, the heron waiting for the woman to grab tasty fish out of the water with her net. You know, just another day in Pensacola!
The cute story continued from there, as Josie added more in the description: "They came up the boardwalk together and she literally told it 'We'll go fish over there" and he followed. After a little while, and a few fish, they started to leave and he was trailing behind, she turned to him and said "come on" and gestured him forward and he flew up to catch up with her... The entire thing was so surreal." Are we sure Josie didn't witness a fae creature and her animal companion hanging out on the beach? It's giving Dungeons and Dragons' Druid class for me...
Cuteness aside, it's time to add a little buzzkill caveat: humans really shouldn't be hand-feeding herons like this, for the same reasons that feeding most kinds of wild animals isn't a good idea. Herons are well-known for being food aggressive, and they aren't shy about stealing fish from poor unfortunate fisherman, too!
Still, in the way that many Floridians learn to live side-by-side with other wildlife, some people end up forming friendly associations with their local herons. "I also have one that hangs around. They're smart creatures. We call ours Kevin," said one commenter. "If my garage is open and we get a downpour they come inside and hang till it's over," admitted @tea_and_cakez.
For most visitors, watching a woman and her heron friend hang out together along the beach may feel as surreal as Josie describes. For Pensacola locals, though, it's just another day in the Florida life!
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