Tri-colored Heron - Study of the fishing technique

[Ira Runyan]

Other than the Reddish Egret, the Tri-colored Heron is the most active wading bird you will observe feeding on fish in shallow waters. They will in the course of the day capture hundreds of minnows one after the other. It's fun to watch, but the action is so fast that you may not be able to see the mechanical details of the of the fishing technique with the naked eye. This short sequence demonstrates the details of a Tri-colored Heron capturing a minnow.

1. The minnow has been spotted by the Heron.......


2. The plunge into the water for the minnow........


3. The withdraw from the water.....


4. Turning of the head while withdrawing.........


5. Still turning the head upon the withdraw.......


6. The "Flip" to get the minnow in position to swallow.....

[f86sabjf]

nice sequence.

local lake or Merritt Island

[Ira Runyan]

nice sequence.

local lake or Merritt Island

This was in the "Click Ponds" which are next to the Viera Wetlands.....

[f86sabjf]

Thanks
Haven't made it down there yet . Lk woodruff has been getting the majority of my attention when I have time

[Alan]

Very nice series of shots. I like seeing birds in action.

[Photo-John]

Very cool! I love that you thought to shoot and share the whole sequence with us! Can you share the technical details of these photos? What lens, your distance, your exposure settings, and anything else that might be useful to photographers. I'm curious about the shutter speed and burst rate you needed to capture this.