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!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
so beautiful so beautiful…. 🙂
Thank you Nia, I’m happy you enjoyed these photos!
Hello Phil,
amazing series, excellent pictures, love your photos!
Wish you a nice day,
moni
I greatly appreciate your kind words moni, thank you!
Das sind wieder exellente Photos lieber Phil !!
Vielen Dank bin ich froh euch gefallen diese Fotos! 🙂
Awesome images Phil. I’m not suprised he Radar didn’t move for twenty minutes after that meal. I like the idea of him finishing off with shrimp. 🙂
Thanks a million Adrian!
Yes normally you might think of shrimp as a starter but not our boy Radar. He does things his way and has them for dessert. 🙂
That sure is some big fish for a little guy
He seemed very happy to have it. But of course was soon back looking for more.
Lol…she really has a satisfied look in her face in that last shot. Love them.
Oh yes Radar had to be happy with his catch! Thanks!
Awesome pictures Phil, quite a big fish for this guy.
Thanks Jan, it is a good size fish, larger then we might normally see.
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.
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.
That are phenomenal pics. I love all those details they show.
So glad you like those, thanks!
Wow! Great shots! I was looking through some of your other posts,and you take amazingly beautiful pictures. I am so following you.
Thanks very much I greatly appreciate your kind words and glad you enjoy the photos!
As always, nice serie of images.
Thank you for sharing.
I appreciate you looking and commenting, thanks!
That’s pretty tough! But still nice!
Yes tough for the fish for sure, but so it goes in nature. Thanks for checking these out!
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.
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! 🙂
Big catch! Excellent series, Phil!
Thanks Gareth and yes a big catch for our pal Radar!
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.
I greatly appreciate your very kind comments Gunta and I’m happy you enjoyed the photos.
No that fish does not look happy at all. It probably knows whats coming next.
Wow, that is one huge fish,, it is a marvel that they have such slim necks, and can swallow the fish whole like that,, I guess that is why their necks are longgggggg…. neat ,, neat, neat.
Thanks a million Sally, glad you like these pics! We are continually amazed at the size of fish they can get down those skinny necks! 😯 😀
…. 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?
Oh Radar totally rocks! He is head egret of the marsh and has the attitude to prove it.
I wonder if they do lie about fishing? Humm…bet they would. 😀
The clarity of your photos is astounding. These are fabulous!! He’s one expert fisherman that’s for sure, or I should say fisherbird!!
He knows what he is doing out there for sure!
Thanks for checking these out and I greatly appreciate the kind comments!
Your photos are the best part of checking my email! Every morning I am reminded of all the natural beauty around us. Thanks!
Well I’m happy to read your very kind comments and I greatly appreciate your interest and support!
Thanks much!
That is a huge fish. What an appetite he has.
That is a large fish and I’m betting that filled him up for a while. Although surprisingly we saw him fishing again later so I guess they keep at it as long as food is available.
Great series of shots.
Thanks very much I appreciate it.
I really like the write-ups that accompany the photos. Makes everything much more interesting. The pics are beautiful against the blue water. And the sequences are excellent.
I’m very happy to hear you like the little stories along with the photos, thanks! 🙂
Non ho parole, sono più che belle, sono più che fantastiche!!!!
Apprezzo i vostri commenti molto gentili!
Grazie
What a mouthful. Radar is a great name too.
It has not yet come to the point of where I can call his name and have him look over at me. But he will pick it up soon enough. 😉
And such fine fish that Radar caught. And you captured this beautifully Phil.
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.
What a beautiful bird, and great set of images! It’s amazing how these birds can swallow such a large fish. I’ve watched herons catching and eating fish, but never such big ones as this.
Even though I have seen it several times, I continue to be amazed at the size of fish some of these birds can swallow down in one gulp.
Thanks very much Laurie!
My favorite Egret again! I am happy to see that he is still around and thriving.
Yeah Radar is a good boy, and is often hard at work in his ‘office’. We enjoy having him around! 🙂
Una Vez Más Una Serie Impresionante. Eso Si Es Una Buena Pesca… Muy Buenas Fotografias… Un Saludo.
Se trata de una captura muy bien! Gracias. Estoy feliz de que te gusta estas fotos! 🙂