It's What's for Lunch

[Pat Murphy]

Wood Storks are fairly large birds but the original stork that caught this eel couldn't swallow it after trying for 15 minutes....he actually had trouble picking it up. A larger stork saw his/her opportunity and took possession. It still took 10 minutes or so to swallow it. That's was one big ugly "worm" for one big ugly bird. Too bad the day was overcast and the light was fading.

[aligater]

You sure were in the right place Pat, very nice detail in number 2. Descriptions are spot on "ugly". Post some more pics.

[IraRunyan]

Nice capture Pat. BTW, that's not an eel, it's a salamander (refered by some as mud puppy). Blow up the photo and you will see that the fins behind the head is actually legs.

We have a lot of them in Florida fresh waters.

[Pat Murphy]

Thanks Ira....I really should have known that but thanks for the correction.

[EZRider]

Really cool series :) Nice shots!

[Gary Fairhead]

Great photos and good narrative to go with them.

[canonloader]

Great set of shots. Never seen one fo those before. Seen mudpuppies, but never that size. :)

[Cooper911]

Really like the first one...good timing.

[ajosteve]

Cool shots, of an ugly bird....steve

[IraRunyan]

Great set of shots. Never seen one fo those before. Seen mudpuppies, but never that size. :)

Mitch, these large salamanders are common in Florida, in fact we have two different types. Birds and Otters capture and eat them often. The University of Florida has a page describing them at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW168

[Pat Murphy]

Probably a Greater Siren(salamander) judging by the size of the feet and the spotting/speckling. If you follow Ira's link you will know everything about giant salamanders but were afraid to ask.

A great egret and a host of ibis came along but the salamander was much bigger than they could handle. Like I said, it was too big for the first stork also.

Nice link....thanks Ira.