Fish To Go | Phil Lanoue Photography

Fish To Go

Last week we were surprised to see this great blue heron zip by along the salt marsh with it’s fresh caught fish still speared on it’s bill. Blue herons will normally eat a fish like that right where it was plucked from the water, but this one knew there was competition in the area including other great blues. In a case like that it is often wise to quickly move to a new location where a fish can hopefully be enjoyed without interference.

48 thoughts on “Fish To Go”

lylekrahn on April 14, 2013 at 6:00 pm said:

Nice photo – liked the shadow.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 14, 2013 at 6:02 pm said:
  
  Ah thanks. I was wondering if anyone was going to notice the shadow. 🙂
  
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Gunta on April 14, 2013 at 6:52 pm said:

Of course a photographer would notice a detail like that.. 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on April 14, 2013 at 6:53 pm said:
  
  I bet Lyle noticed it right away too. 😀
  
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Molly Argo on April 14, 2013 at 7:21 pm said:

Really great shot! I always enjoy your Herons, along with everything else you do!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:14 pm said:
  
  Thanks much Molly I appreciate it!
  
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photosfromtheloonybin on April 14, 2013 at 7:25 pm said:

Wow, what a spectacular shot!! I just can’t get over how amazing your work is :).

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:14 pm said:
  
  Well I greatly appreciate your very kind comments!
  
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Ricky Simpson on April 14, 2013 at 7:28 pm said:

great shot Phil! nice wing position with a catch!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:14 pm said:
  
  Thanks Ricky, always like to see them flying with their food!
  
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Amy on April 14, 2013 at 9:02 pm said:

Great capture, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:15 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch Amy!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on April 14, 2013 at 9:27 pm said:

I always wonder what the bird does when they spear the fish versus having it between its beaks. At least it’s certainly on the hook!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:24 pm said:
  
  Usually they work the fish off their beak and manage to swallow it down however that can take a little time. So if there are other birds around the area that may try to take advantage, it’s often best to leave the area.
  
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SinghStyleStudio on April 14, 2013 at 11:05 pm said:

well composed & captured…

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:24 pm said:
  
  Thanks glad you liked it.
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on April 15, 2013 at 12:05 am said:

Really great photo, very interesting.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:25 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Charlie, I’m happy you like the photo.
  
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Coreen on April 15, 2013 at 1:45 am said:

Awesome shot. Funny how in nature photo’s we want shadows and reflections but when it comes to studio photography shadows are a no no… 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks! You are right, sometimes it is those odd things we might wish to eliminate in other photos that end up making a wildlife photo more interesting.
  
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mike585 on April 15, 2013 at 2:51 am said:

Nice capture, Phil,

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch Mike.
  
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janmasyn on April 15, 2013 at 2:55 am said:

Fantastic shot Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:26 pm said:
  
  Glad you like it Jan.
  
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lucianaele on April 15, 2013 at 5:29 am said:

Buon inizio di settimana.
Finalmente il sole e delle belle temperature primaverili.
Un abbraccio,
Luciana

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:32 pm said:
  
  Sono felice che ti piace come la settimana è cominciata.
  Molto bello caldo qui ora. 🙂
  
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circuitousjourney on April 15, 2013 at 7:16 am said:

Great shot of one of my favorite birds!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:27 pm said:
  
  Thanks the GBH is always a favorite of mine as well!
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on April 15, 2013 at 9:12 am said:

Love this picture. That was my first thought too, why not gulp it down? But judging from all your other images and like you said, better the ‘bird in the hand’ so to speak.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:28 pm said:
  
  Thanks. Because it sometimes takes a little bit of time to gulp down a fish, it can occasionally be better to leave the area and deal with it in private. 🙂
  
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Jane Lurie on April 15, 2013 at 9:19 am said:

Smart bird and great shot, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:28 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jane and yes he knows what he is doing out there.
  
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monisertel on April 15, 2013 at 12:17 pm said:

Hello Phil,
stunning snapshot, great work!
Wish you a nice day
moni

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- Phil Lanoue on April 15, 2013 at 4:29 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much moni, go glad you liked this photo!
  
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Fergiemoto on April 15, 2013 at 7:28 pm said:

Lovely, lovely shot!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 19, 2013 at 4:48 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much!
  
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Chillbrook on April 16, 2013 at 2:30 am said:

Excellent shot Phil! A wise bird it seems.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 19, 2013 at 4:48 pm said:
  
  Thanks Adrian and yes he knows what he is doing out there.
  
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FeyGirl on April 16, 2013 at 9:05 am said:

Such a beautiful shot – they’re always so secretive with their catches, quickly flying off to chow it down. Lovely!!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 19, 2013 at 4:49 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, the GBH is probably my favorite bird and I always like to see what they are up to.
  
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Paula on April 17, 2013 at 3:40 am said:

😆 terrific capture 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on April 19, 2013 at 4:49 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much Paula!
  
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adinparadise on April 17, 2013 at 4:07 pm said:

What an extraordinary shot, Phil. Mr GBH really looks as though he’s on a mission there, and very pleased with his prize fish. That poor fish must be very unimpressed that he is getting a free flight. 😦

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- Phil Lanoue on April 19, 2013 at 4:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks much Sylvia so glad you like this photo! Our poor little friend in the sea is not having a good day and it’s about to get worse. 😯
  
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mariayarri on April 19, 2013 at 4:05 pm said:

Great photo of a beautiful Heron. Has he skewered the little fish with his beak ? // Maria

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- Phil Lanoue on April 19, 2013 at 4:51 pm said:
  
  Yes he sure did skewer the poor little fish Maria. Thanks for looking and commenting!
  
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Scott Marshall on April 21, 2013 at 4:28 pm said:

great perspective

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- Phil Lanoue on April 21, 2013 at 6:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks Scott, it does help when these guys do a low fly by.
  
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