Tag Archives: Feeding

Ballet Over Water: Great Egret

I only know from watching a successful try at this hovering maneuver that this Great Egret’s intention was to catch a fish.

Great Egret Over Water
Great Egret Over Water
Great Egret Over Water
Great Egret Over Water
Great Egret Over Water
Great Egret Over Water
Great Egret Over Water
Great Egret Over Water

Nothing caught his eye on this pass and he never touched the water. After about a four second hover he flew to a tree.

Great Egret Over Water
Great Egret Over Water

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 5, 2023

Great Egret With Fish

I didn’t see this Great Egret drop into the water on this trip. And it sure is tough to see how he knew the fish was there in all that duck weed.

Great Egret With Fish
Great Egret With Fish

I’d watched him make some unsuccessful passes just touching his feet to the water, but this trip was a winner!

Great Egret With Fish
Great Egret With Fish – Lift Off

Back to his starting point he went…

Great Egret With Fish
Great Egret With Fish

…a nice graceful landing onto the unoccupied ramp.

Great Egret With Fish
Great Egret With Fish

He stood there holding the fish for a minute or so before he swallowed it.

Great Egret With Fish
Great Egret With Fish

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 23, 2023

Hooded Merganser with Snack

A big snack!

Hooded Merganser with Snack
Hooded Merganser with Snack

Some kind of a tadpole from the shape and way bigger than the duck’s mouth.

Hooded Merganser with Snack
Hooded Merganser with Snack

So big she took it for a ride before trying to swallow it, and slapped it in the water a couple of times.

Hooded Merganser with Snack
Hooded Merganser with Snack

Two other Mergansers that were following along so she changed course. Shortly after this image she swallowed it.

Hooded Merganser with Snack
Hooded Merganser with Snack

Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
February 27, 2023

 

Reddish Egret, End of Day Feeding

We arrived at Black Point Wildlife Drive about 45 minutes before sundown. The light was quite elegant on this feeding Reddish Egret.

Reddish Egret Feeding
Reddish Egret Feeding

The swirl in the water shows how quickly these wading birds change direction, darting back and forth.

Reddish Egret Feeding
Reddish Egret Feeding

And, how very little their prey is.

Reddish Egret Feeding
Reddish Egret Feeding

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
January 16, 2023

Another Great Blue Heron Getting Lunch

Actually just a snack or appetizer for this one.

Great Blue Heron Stalking A Snack
Great Blue Heron Stalking A Snack

And with lots of patience–I was about to move on when finally…

Great Blue Heron Stalking A Snack
Great Blue Heron Stalking A Snack

he pounced!

Great Blue Heron Stalking A Snack
Great Blue Heron Stalking A Snack

Look close, yes he had success.

Great Blue Heron Stalking A Snack
Great Blue Heron Stalking A Snack

Then carried it to shore before swallowing, taking no risk of losing it back in the green depths.

Great Blue Heron Stalking A Snack
Great Blue Heron Stalking A Snack

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 9, 2023