Radar’s Big Score!

Some of you may remember seeing our pal “Radar” in previous posts here. That is the name we have given the great egret that has a transmitter pack attached to his back with two antennas sticking out. Apparently Radar is part of a study of migratory habits of wading birds such as egrets. However, since we frequently see Radar and know he does not travel around all that much, we’re not sure if he provides a lot of useful information!

Yesterday afternoon we were actually hoping the bald eagle pair would make an appearance, but we only saw one in a far off tree across the marsh and it never flew in close. Radar, however, was in close and he was actively fishing in the salt marsh during low tide. We can always tell when he is on to a fish because he gets all excited and does some amusing dance steps over to where he sees the fish. So when he began his dance routine, we were fairly sure he spotted something and turns out he sure did! Radar plucked himself a nice fish out of the marsh and after doing a short flight hop over to the near edge, he quickly swallowed down his catch. In the last photo you can see how just a small bit of the fish’s tail fin is visible as Radar’s throat and neck expands to fit his meal.

Radar did not move for 20 minutes after getting down that fish. But then soon after he went right back to fishing. We only saw him grab tiny fish and shrimp though after dining on his main course…after dinner snacks!

Radar Catches Big Fish

Radar Catches Big Fish

Radar Catches Big Fish

Radar Catches Big Fish

Radar Catches Big Fish

Radar Catches Big Fish

Radar Catches Big Fish

Radar Catches Big Fish

56 thoughts on “Radar’s Big Score!”

  8. I like radar! It looks your your zoom was more than adequate for the job. One more hop and we would be seeing tonsils of the bird or the fish! The water droplet off the fourth photo looks like the fish could be crying. An emotional photo.

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    • Oh Radar is quite cool! He is head egret of the marsh and can often be found working in his in his ‘office’ there.
      Sometimes we do kinda feel bad for the fish, especially when they have that sad look toward the end.

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  13. That fish looks huge. Sad expression on his face though (that’s the vegetarian in me coming out). Still at least Radar is doing what comes naturally to him, rather than fishing for sport or fish farming, or … sorry, yours is not a ranty blog so I will shut up. Radar is very cute too. Some very clear sharp piccies there.

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    • It is a big fish for our boy Radar and he seemed quite pleased with it! We sometimes do feel bad for the fish especially when they have that sad ‘look’ at the end.
      I’m not a fan of sport/trophy fishing. The animals and birds do what they do to survive.
      So glad you liked these photos! 🙂

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  15. Once again you’ve outdone yourself, Phil. Great sequence. That third from the end shot was my favorite with what looks like angel wings to me. The fish doesn’t look too thrilled, though.

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  17. …. Radar is the MAN! Great catch (and capture). I wonder what he radioed to the researchers about his catch. Do Great Egrets lie about their fishing?

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    • He seemed quite happy with his catch, plus the added bonus was that he got to keep it. There has been a sneaky GBH shadowing Radar for a while that waits for an opportunity to steal a fish that Radar caught.

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