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View Full Version : Great Egret Snags Vole - 8 Photo Series

guitarman3
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 00:50
Today at the wetlands, the Egrets moved from the water areas to the fields. They are quite effective hunters in either venue. I took many more shots of this encounter than I'm displaying here but when he initially had the vole in his mouth ready to swallow it, he suddenly decided to reverse course and eject the vole from the mouth while still holding on with his bill, then turned it around 180 degrees the other direction. He then proceeded to swallow it after the spin. The final swallow is pictured here. The reversal of direction took about 4-5 seconds.

Photo #2 looks as if the Egret has fallen over but no way--he has perfect control and a deadly aim.

Thanks for looking and comments are welcome!


OK, now concentrate...
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/guitarman3_2007/29oct2007/_MG_1285.jpg

Dive!
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/guitarman3_2007/29oct2007/_MG_1286.jpg

By golly, I think I have him!
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/guitarman3_2007/29oct2007/_MG_1288.jpg

Ha! Looking good!
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/guitarman3_2007/29oct2007/_MG_1292.jpg

Grade AA if you ask me!
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/guitarman3_2007/29oct2007/_MG_1303.jpg

Prepare for consumption...
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/guitarman3_2007/29oct2007/_MG_1305.jpg

Yum!
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/guitarman3_2007/29oct2007/_MG_1311.jpg

Down the hatch!
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/guitarman3_2007/29oct2007/_MG_1312.jpg
aligater
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 01:24
Excellent series Dennis.
downywp
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 01:34
You caught the action very well here - Nice work!:)
IraRunyan
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 04:24
Great action shots.................Very nice job
guitarman3
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 12:22
Thank you Carlton, Downywp, and Ira for looking and commenting.
canonloader
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 12:26
Positively great behavior shots Dennis. I knew these birds fished the land, but had never seen it here in Wisconsin. They only come here when it's warm and there is plenty of fish in the water. :)
Sindri Skulason
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 13:43
Great beahavior series. Excellent work. :-)
Anke
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 14:00
Excellent series, Dennis. Loving that first shot! :D
cool breeze
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 14:41
Great series, right time and place.
hTr
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 15:11
Action Series, Outstanding Captures!!!!
MikeI
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 15:16
Great catch (;))
avwh
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 15:19
Great series - LOVE the last two, as he's swallowing. Looks like he actually "speared" him with his beak - is that right?
ErikT72
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 17:06
Great series. Life is rough when you're a vole....
Howler-Cat
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 17:08
Wow...awesome! Just awesome!
EdV
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 18:28
Excellent series, Dennis. You handled the whites beautifully.
guitarman3
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 21:06
Thank you Mitch, Sindri, Anke, Will, Gary, Mikel, Allen, Erik, Ben and Ed for all your kind comments and taking the time to look at my post.

Allen - Yes, the bottom part of his bill pierced one side and almost came out the other, as you can see in this close-up of photo #5:

Being near the bottom of the food chain is certainly the pits! Hopefully, the little guy didn't last long and the pain was over quickly.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/guitarman3_2007/29oct2007/_MG_1303-2.jpg
rw2
30th of October 2007 (Tue), 21:10
Well done! We're lucky to be able to watch mother nature in action. What a bonus to photograph it!