Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Big Predator, Big Prey


Lots of water birds are predators. I've been fortunate to photograph Grebes, Coots, and Mergansers over the winter as they were catching fish. None of them can do it quite like the Great Blue Heron, though. And, yes, I've posted lots of photos of herons catching fish, but I never cease to be impressed, especially when they take on something sizable.









 1/640 sec. f/8 ISO 250

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday 


48 comments:

Gary Jones said...

superb images Brian, that's a good size meal for him!!

Debbie said...

twas his lucky day!! does that go down in one gulp/slide??

amazing shots brian you really make all your shots magical!!

Anonymous said...

Brian you always capture the most amazing action shots.

Jan n Jer said...

How exciting to get his on camera.

Denise at Autumn Sky said...

That is quite a big catch and a fun series of photos. Personally, I would have grilled the fish before eating.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

So perfect in every way! They wait so patiently for dinner it's a joy to see them when they finally catch it. Super wonderful pictures.

MTWaggin said...

Wowsa, that is a super hooty great series and the colors and clarity are STUNNING! Great work Brian as usual.

TexWisGirl said...

a good looking, good sized fish (whatever type it is!) love the gulp shot at the end! way to go, gbh! :)

SRQ said...

Splash down...and down the hatch. Excellent series of pics, Brian. One of my favorite subjects to shoot is any bird catching a fish. As you know, it's easier said than done.

Karen said...

Oh fabulous captures! That's a big meal!

gallerydarrow said...

I love these birds! I saw a video of one walking through a crowded park in San Francisco grabbing gophers from their holes and swallowing them, amazing!!

Wonderful pictures here.

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

A marvelous sequence, Brian! I once saw one of these actually swim out on our lake like a swan as it chased after a fish. Only for a moment, but it was remarkable.

Nancy J said...

Those photos tell a super story, and great detail, you captured it perfectly. Greetings from Jean

mick said...

Wow! That fish looks too big for the bird to swallow! Great photos - I especially like the first ones with the water spraying up.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

interesting. i never would have thought of him as a predator? just needing food. like everyone else. ha. ha!! great shots. love the 1st hitting that water. wonder if it hurts? ouch for me. ( :

Nicki said...

Fresh! Nicely captured.

Carletta said...

Love how you caught the splashes and I for one never tire of your fishing herons.
Wonderful series!

TheChieftess said...

Fabulous shots!!!

Dianne said...

Wow! Amazing and he ate it whole .... no lightly grilled with herbs and lemon for this guy.

"Adelaide and Beyond"

Unknown said...

Great sequence!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

HansHB said...

Awesome!

Anonymous said...

amazing captures!

eileeninmd said...

Wow, that is a big fish, great captures!

the wild magnolia said...

these are captures of a patient man.

i have never seen this process before. thank you.

Connie Smiley said...

Brian, I never cease to be impressed with your stunning images. Your heron photos are among my favorites.

Stewart M said...

Thats a great set of pictures. Make me wonder how the heron holds on to the fish - it must be like eating with chop sticks - but the food is alive!!

Good post on the stove as well - I used simple meths (alcohol) stoves for a very long time - nothing to go wrong is their greatest recommendation.

Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW.

Stewart M - Melbourne

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Wow that was incredible...I was so glad to see it finally taking the fish down...geesh, I thought maybe the Heron would throw it back in the water for a minute;') great action captured!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Whoa he's a great fisher-uh, bird! The fish don't hardly stand a chance with that long beak after them. Wonderful photos as always, Brian!

Anonymous said...

That is one big fish! I love the pre-dunking shots. Great detail you caught.

Kerri Farley said...

Truly Outstanding Series! WOW!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Awesome action shots Brian! How does he manage to to eat that fish in one gulp!

Anonymous said...

CHOW TIME!!! =)

Deb said...

wow that is a catch all right...bigger than most I catch...

Anonymous said...

Wonderful series! That's some meal!

Wally Jones said...

Very nice quality shots of "Big Blue" and his catch!
(Now I'm hungry for fish......)

tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.com said...

Wow,amazing shots!They never cease to amaze me either,but I never captured one up so close & personal, woofing down a meal!phyllis

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

Wow, I have seen a lot of Great Blue Heron's fish, but I have never seen one submerge his head to go after a fish. That is an amazing set of pictures as well as a rare catch, I am guessing. The wildlife seem to know that you are around and put on a dramatic show for you ... bunch of hams, don't you think? What fun it is to visit your blog ... Never a boring moment!

Andrea @ From The Sol

theconstantwalker said...

Amazing shots Brian... sorry I've not commented for a while I hope to make up for it soon.

renae said...

WHOA! yes, so amazing! all of them are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Linda said...

Hi Brian, stunning and timely captures!

Gail Dixon said...

AWESOME, Brian! It amazes me what these birds can swallow. Guess he could rest for a while after this meal. :)

Dan said...

Wow! I've never seen the likes of that before. Amazing series!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's amazing! Great series of shots....

NatureStop said...

Brian, what superb shots!!!It's always a joy to capture them fishing:)
Have a great day!

Shantana

Pamela Gordon said...

A great series of photos, Brian. The heron sure are good fishers! I also enjoyed the previous guest post on outdoor cooking. Very interesting and well written! Pamela

A Colorful World said...

Fantastic catch by the bird AND you!

Lindsjö taxar said...

What a great serie, lovely!!!

Meggie said...

About the 5th photo, I was wondering how he was going to get the fish in his mouth...wonderful photos.