Getting In Some Fishing Before The Storm

Yesterday evening started off nice enough at the marsh pond with a mix of sun and big white fluffy clouds. We knew there was a possibility of thunder storms rolling in but at the beach you never know, the wind off the ocean often beats back the rain storms and keeps them inland. Life goes on however for the marsh wildlife as they need to hunt for a meal regardless of weather forecasts. At first this great blue heron was working the popular fishing hole, but then he was joined by a great egret. They both were having success fishing so no major arguments or disagreements broke out over who’s territory this was. All this took place under the watchful eye of one particularly sneaky alligator that was lurking among the pond weeds in the same fishing spot. The birds knew it was there and kept one eye on the fish and the other on Mr. Gator. At one point the alligator chased the blue heron along the side of the marsh pond, but the heron didn’t want to leave the fishing hot spot so it just moved over a bit after complaining loudly at the alligator who seemed unimpressed by the bird’s display.

The thunder storm clouds did finally make their way into the marsh area so we packed up and left the beach. Last we saw the birds and alligators were still hanging in hoping to scoop up a another fish or two before having to call it a (stormy) night. 

Great Blue Heron Fishing

Great Blue Heron Fishing

Egret Fishing

Egret Fishing

Gator Head in Marsh Pond

52 thoughts on “Getting In Some Fishing Before The Storm”

  8. Love the detail in those close shots. In the first photograph the poor little fish kind of has a “Mr. Bill” expression (“oh no”). :/ That alligator looks sneaky … Mr. Lurky.

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  11. Some serious eating going on there Phil. So got a question for you. You’re out on the marsh all the time. Is that near the ocean? My camera is acting up again (now thinking I had gotten a lemon) after a full day near the beach & salty air. Do you clean your camera each time you come home?

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    • Yes we are right on the ocean, plus the salt marsh is a, well, salt marsh, so the breezes have to be salty air.
      I don’t believe I have ever detected a specific problem that I can blame on the salt air though. I occasionally give the camera a brief wipe down with a slightly damp cloth but no major maintenance, and I never had another photographer mention a problem. I bought my first 7D the week it came out in Oct. 2009 and it’s still plugging along just fine with constant visits to the salt marsh and beach areas.
      Hope you get your camera issue sorted out.

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  18. Stunning captures, Phil. I can’t help feeling a pang of sympathy for that hapless fishie. That alligator looks to have his beady eye on something interesting. Maybe it was you. 😀

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    • Yes Sylvia sometimes we do feel bad for the fish but so it goes in nature. It’s worse when they have those sad little looks on their faces isn’t it?
      Mr. Alligator was definitely sneaking around and up to something. Was he watching the heron? The Egret? Me? 😯 I think he had those eyes on everything. 🙂

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  19. Just brilliant to see two of my favourites in such detail! These closeups are fascinating, Phil and the stories of the interaction between the species is great. Wild creatures never seem to do what one is expecting!

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    • That’s a large part of the fun it in for me Maggie, getting to witness nature in action and often being surprised by some new behavior.
      Thank you so much for looking and commenting and I’m glad you enjoyed these photos!

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  20. FABULOUS close up shots, Phil! Wow!
    “Anyone for sashimi? Can’t get any fresher than this!”
    I love the clarity of the detail, and what a wonderful opportunity to see them catching fish. I have not been so lucky to see this kind of activity yet.

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