Happy Bird…Not So Happy Fish | Phil Lanoue Photography

Happy Bird…Not So Happy Fish

Last week I was watching this great egret fish in the salt marsh. It seemed quite pleased to have plucked out a fish for dinner. The fish, on the other hand, did not look happy at all.

39 thoughts on “Happy Bird…Not So Happy Fish”

einfachtilda on October 28, 2012 at 5:42 pm said:

Schöner Vogel, armer Fisch 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on October 28, 2012 at 7:02 pm said:
  
  Ich habe manchmal das Gefühl, für die Fische schlecht. Er ist ein hübscher Vogel. Vielen Dank Tilda! 😀
  
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Patrizia M. on October 28, 2012 at 5:48 pm said:

Eh no, il pesce direi che non era molto contento
Ottimo scatto
Pat

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- Phil Lanoue on October 28, 2012 at 7:03 pm said:
  
  No il pesce non era felice. Sono contento che ti è piaciuto la foto!
  
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Chillbrook on October 28, 2012 at 5:59 pm said:

Fabulous capture Phil. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on October 28, 2012 at 7:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks much I appreciate that!
  
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Molly Argo on October 28, 2012 at 6:34 pm said:

That Fish does have a sad look! Great capture!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 28, 2012 at 7:04 pm said:
  
  He does look sad and understandably I guess. Thanks Molly!!
  
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Gunta on October 28, 2012 at 6:47 pm said:

I suspect much depends on which end of the food chain you’re on. 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on October 28, 2012 at 7:05 pm said:
  
  Well that’s for sure! So it goes in nature.
  Thanks for looking Gunta!
  
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adinparadise on October 28, 2012 at 6:59 pm said:

Mr Egret certainly has a triumphant glint in his beady eye, whilst that poor little fishy is squeaking, “help, somebody, help!!” 🙂 😦

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- Phil Lanoue on October 28, 2012 at 7:08 pm said:
  
  You summed it up exactly Slyvia! I suppose I could have jumped in and attempted to intervene on the fish’s behalf, but that could just get me a sharp beak point in my face. That’s not good for anybody. 😉
  
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  - adinparadise on October 28, 2012 at 7:11 pm said:
    
    Nature must be allowed to take its course. I’m so glad I’m not a little fishy. 🙂
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on October 28, 2012 at 7:29 pm said:
      
      These poor fish, it seems the reason for their entire existance is to be somebody’s meal.
      Humm…now I’m hungry. 😀
      
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      - adinparadise on October 28, 2012 at 7:39 pm said:
        
        😆
        
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Karen on October 28, 2012 at 7:07 pm said:

Your photos bring back memories of our years living in Key Largo. We do have great egrets and herons in New England and they stop by our pond but they are looking for frogs.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 28, 2012 at 7:36 pm said:
  
  Yeah they love frogs. Around here they will grab the lizards too. Yummy!
  Thanks for stopping by Karen I appreciate your visit and comments.
  
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lylekrahn on October 28, 2012 at 7:34 pm said:

So just so we’re clear. You’re perfectly willing to exploit the life and death situation of the fish for your amazing photo, but you wouldn’t life a finger to intervene, in case it gets pecked???

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- Phil Lanoue on October 28, 2012 at 7:40 pm said:
  
  I’m mostly worried about getting pecked in the *eye* by an unhappy egret after I took away it’s fish.
  They tend to go for the eyes when agravated. 😯
  And yes, sometimes our poor little finny friends in the sea must be sacrificed for the sake of a photo.
  Sad but true. 😛 😀
  
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  - lylekrahn on October 28, 2012 at 7:42 pm said:
    
    Good to know about that eye thing. I guess they play for keeps.
    
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Jane Lurie on October 28, 2012 at 7:35 pm said:

Great shot, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 28, 2012 at 7:40 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch Jane!
  
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under the skies of arkansas on October 28, 2012 at 8:20 pm said:

i thought they speared the fish but it looks like they clamp em

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- Phil Lanoue on October 29, 2012 at 10:55 am said:
  
  Their fishing technique normally is to grab or clamp down on a fish. That way they can more quickly and easily get a fish properly positioned head down for easy swallowing. They will occasionally spear a fish but not by chioice, it’s more because that’s just how it happened. If they do happen to spear a fish accidently now they have the problem of getting that speared fish off their bill.
  If you wish to see a bird that uses the spear fishing technique exclusively, check out my gallery of Anhinga Photos at the top of my blog. Very interesting water bird.
  
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  - under the skies of arkansas on October 29, 2012 at 11:58 am said:
    
    cool the first photo is a speared fish on its bill
    
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Bella Remy Photography on October 28, 2012 at 9:32 pm said:

Thank goodness we’re higher up on the food chain!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 29, 2012 at 10:55 am said:
  
  You got that right Bella! 😀
  
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lizziejoy10 on October 29, 2012 at 2:04 am said:

Your photos really are stunning, Phil. Bless you for sharing them. Quite amazing!!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 29, 2012 at 10:56 am said:
  
  Well I truly appreciate you looking and also your very kind comments!
  
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janmasyn on October 29, 2012 at 5:31 am said:

Nice capture.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 29, 2012 at 10:56 am said:
  
  Thanks, glad you liked this photo.
  
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starlaschat on October 30, 2012 at 12:27 pm said:

I would imagaine that fish isn’t too happy at the moment.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 8:02 pm said:
  
  No I expect that fish is having a very bad day.
  
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Fergiemoto on October 30, 2012 at 3:18 pm said:

Great capture!
I wouldn’t be happy either if I was about to be eaten!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 8:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks and I don’t think any of us would be at all happy to be in Mr. Fish’s situation. 😯
  
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Scott Marshall on October 30, 2012 at 4:20 pm said:

a stonker – would love a session with these guys – so white and pure

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 8:05 pm said:
  
  They are about the whitest thing I have ever seen. They can be a bit challenging to photograph too. I have to shoot in full Manual mode and expose to hopefully hold detail in the white feathers and if the background goes dark well so be it.
  
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  - Scott Marshall on October 30, 2012 at 8:12 pm said:
    
    now that is real genuine feedback Phil appreciated
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on November 3, 2012 at 11:53 am said:
      
      Glad I could be of some help Scott and thanks as always for your interest and comments.
      
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