Big Lunch

Last week we saw this great blue heron pull a large fish out of the salt marsh. The GBH took three minutes to get the fish under control and into proper position for a head first gulp down. In one photo you can see an interested gull do a fly by during the event and in the next, a cormorant pops it’s head up out of the water for a quick look around.
We were also quite sure there were no bald eagles in the area because a blue heron with nice fish is generally the eagle magnet.
Of course *we* were hoping an eagle would show up but the GBH most certainly was hoping the opposite. The heron was lucky though, he got to keep his prize catch and make a very nice meal out of it.

47 thoughts on “Big Lunch”

lylekrahn on December 17, 2012 at 1:12 pm said:

The herons keep coming, the fish keep getting swallowed and you continue to catch it all. Wonderful.

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- Phil Lanoue on December 17, 2012 at 5:29 pm said:
  
  I just wonder what they are doing when I’m not there. Probably just sitting around doing nothing waiting for me to show up. They wouldn’t want me to miss any action.
  
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janmasyn on December 17, 2012 at 1:12 pm said:

As usual, great captures Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on December 17, 2012 at 5:29 pm said:
  
  I appreciate it Jan!
  
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thehappyhugger on December 17, 2012 at 1:14 pm said:

That was a good catch for the day 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on December 17, 2012 at 5:30 pm said:
  
  It was a good catch for the day. And after sitting for a bit he flew off to a tree to relax and let it digest. 🙂
  
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monisertel on December 17, 2012 at 1:28 pm said:

Sensational pics, amazing series,
my congrats, Phil!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on December 17, 2012 at 5:30 pm said:
  
  Thanks moni I’m glad you enjoyed these GBH pics!
  
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Chillbrook on December 17, 2012 at 1:38 pm said:

That really is a big lunch. Fabulous series Phil! 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on December 17, 2012 at 5:31 pm said:
  
  Thanks for looking and commenting Adrian!
  
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Judi van der Kaay on December 17, 2012 at 2:21 pm said:

Just looking at the neck extension gave me shivers …. can’t imagine what it must feel like! Hopefully the fish was out of commision …. fascinating and thanks for a great series (as usual :c) )

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- Phil Lanoue on December 17, 2012 at 5:32 pm said:
  
  Thanks Judi. You should see one that just swallowed a eel. Talk about giving you shivers. 😯 😀
  
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adinparadise on December 17, 2012 at 2:32 pm said:

Fantastic shots, Phil. That fish would have fed hubby and I for dinner. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on December 17, 2012 at 5:33 pm said:
  
  I know. That’s a great meal for two right there! This boy was not interested in sharing however. 😀
  Thanks for checking out these pics.
  
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davidharris518 on December 17, 2012 at 2:45 pm said:

Great photos. You do manage to grab some really nice shots of birds with their catch…what’s your action plan for getting those?…

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- Phil Lanoue on December 17, 2012 at 5:34 pm said:
  
  Thanks much David.
  Usually I will set up on a likely looking suspect such as this GBH and see if anything happens. Sometimes some good action like this, other times nothin’. 🙂
  
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BobR on December 17, 2012 at 2:53 pm said:

Bears a slight resmblence to my lunch today. 🙂 Nice shots.

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- Phil Lanoue on December 17, 2012 at 6:11 pm said:
  
  It’s good lunch for any of us I’m thinking! 😀 Thanks for checking out these pics!
  
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gregjoder on December 17, 2012 at 3:16 pm said:

Excellent capture! Fun to see the sequence =0)

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- Phil Lanoue on December 17, 2012 at 5:35 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, glad you liked these photos!
  
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Gracie on December 17, 2012 at 4:14 pm said:

Very nice series, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on December 17, 2012 at 5:35 pm said:
  
  I appreciate you checking them out Gracie!
  
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sallywoodphotography on December 17, 2012 at 5:30 pm said:

Wow, that is a great sequence for a science class or something ! .. very interesting!

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- Phil Lanoue on December 17, 2012 at 5:36 pm said:
  
  Humm, might be good for a science class. 😀 Thanks!
  
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  - sallywoodphotography on December 17, 2012 at 5:42 pm said:
    
    I think we are always taught about the certain birds that swallow fish whole, well,,,, this proves it!! If you get a chance check out this heron pic.. from fellow blogger Rick Alonzo.. http://rickalonzophoto.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/great-blue-heron-glow/
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on December 17, 2012 at 6:09 pm said:
      
      Thanks Sally I checked that out, great pic and thanks for mentioning my site.
      
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      - sallywoodphotography on December 17, 2012 at 6:25 pm said:
        
        Rick lives in Florida and is a blossoming photog too,, lol! He is a nice blogger friend!
        
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        Rick Alonzo Photography on December 17, 2012 at 10:20 pm said:
        
        Thanks Sally and Phil! I appreciate the link and your kind words! I’m glad we are all part of the blogging / photo community. 🙂
        
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        Phil Lanoue on December 18, 2012 at 12:45 pm said:
        
        Sounds great to me! 😀
        
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jimbey on December 17, 2012 at 5:36 pm said:

Simply awesome … amazing sequence of the action – and even two new photo bombs. Also, that last shot after the “big gulp” shows the neck bulge – an instant classic!

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- Phil Lanoue on December 17, 2012 at 6:10 pm said:
  
  I really appreciate you looking and commenting, thanks and glad you liked these GBH photos!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on December 17, 2012 at 7:46 pm said:

Now that is a nice looking fish. I’m thinking marshside firepit with an iron skillet. Forget the BE, we’re going to eat that beauty.

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- Phil Lanoue on December 18, 2012 at 12:45 pm said:
  
  The fish does kind of look tasty doesn’t it?! 😀
  
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Charlyn Dougherty on December 17, 2012 at 9:14 pm said:

I’ve heard that eating the eyeballs are a delicacy… but come on!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on December 18, 2012 at 12:46 pm said:
  
  This boy is eating the eyeballs and every other part of the fish in one big gulp! Thanks for looking and commenting Char!
  
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Rick Alonzo Photography on December 17, 2012 at 10:23 pm said:

Whoa! Yeah that is a big lunch! Great job.

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- Phil Lanoue on December 18, 2012 at 12:47 pm said:
  
  I appreciate you checking out these pics Rick!
  
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The Wanderlust Gene on December 18, 2012 at 12:23 am said:

Goodness – that fish was a bit of a mouthful! Lets hope our GBH didn’t get an attack of indigestion. Wonderful shots, as usual. Phil 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on December 18, 2012 at 12:48 pm said:
  
  It was a mouthful for sure! He did have kind of a funny look on his face for a while after swallowing that fish. We were wondering if he was going to actually continue fishing, but soon he flew off to a nearby tree presumably to digest. 😀
  Thanks much!
  
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Rexlin Victor on December 18, 2012 at 12:30 am said:

Wow, beautiful shots!!! I hope it will be it’s dinner also 🙂 .

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- Phil Lanoue on December 18, 2012 at 12:49 pm said:
  
  Glad you liked these photos! This fish should keep him full for a day or two I’m thinking. 🙂
  
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Gunta on December 18, 2012 at 5:05 am said:

That shot of the fish bulging out the neck is simply incredible. Wonderful sequence… I can’t seem to get enough of these birds. They’re almost enough to make me forget the alligators.

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- Phil Lanoue on December 18, 2012 at 12:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Gunta I’m happy you enjoyed these GBH photos!
  I certainly do not want you to forget about our alligator pals so my post for today is especially for you! 😀
  
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meyer23 on December 18, 2012 at 5:13 am said:

Wonderful series of this heron. Awesome and impressive.

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- Phil Lanoue on December 18, 2012 at 12:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks much! I appreciate you looking and commenting! 🙂
  
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Molly Argo on December 18, 2012 at 7:22 pm said:

I love these photos! I am once again amazed at the size of fish they can eat.

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GOAT 山羊 on December 18, 2012 at 7:51 pm said:

What a way to go! Who’d be a fish?

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