Spear Fishing | Phil Lanoue Photography

Spear Fishing

There were a few anhingas out in the marsh pond this morning, doing their usual routine of spearing fish on the end of their sharp bill, and then flipping the fish in mid air for a head first swallow. I thought it might be interesting to show birds with a speared fish, and then one doing the patented “Anhinga Fish Flip”!

58 thoughts on “Spear Fishing”

Cowboys and Crossbones on June 11, 2013 at 4:30 pm said:

I’m amazed at what these anhingas can do with their beaks alone…catching lunch, while doing a flipping trick before downing it. Impressive shots!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 11, 2013 at 4:36 pm said:
  
  Ah they are such show offs in public. I bet when they are home alone with no one around watching they eat their fish like a normal animal. 😉
  
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  - Cowboys and Crossbones on June 11, 2013 at 5:57 pm said:
    
    I bet you are SO right. Maybe you should try and follow one home sometime…?
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:24 pm said:
      
      I wonder it would serve for dinner? Oh, fish. Duh.
      
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Fergiemoto on June 11, 2013 at 4:49 pm said:

Wow, they certainly are quite talented! Great shots!
As many times as I’ve been to the bird refuge, I have yet to see a bird, preferably a great blue heron, catch a fish.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:09 pm said:
  
  The anhinga fishing is my favorite bird action to photograph, they are really amazing!
  Thanks!
  
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Pride in Photos Photography on June 11, 2013 at 4:51 pm said:

This makes my throat hurt…I can’t believe they can swallow these whole…amazing…just like your shots.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:10 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, yes they can fit some big fish down those skinny necks!
  
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Beth Fishkind on June 11, 2013 at 4:51 pm said:

Fantastic series of images!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:10 pm said:
  
  Thanks for looking and commenting Beth!
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on June 11, 2013 at 4:56 pm said:

Enjoyed the action! Maybe did not the fish though.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:11 pm said:
  
  No that fish was having a very bad day! Thanks for looking!
  
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nhillgarthnaturalist on June 11, 2013 at 5:02 pm said:

great series – especially like the first photo – beautiful composition!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:11 pm said:
  
  I’m very happy you enjoyed these photos, thanks!
  
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Deb W. Trotter on June 11, 2013 at 6:06 pm said:

Poor fishies. That just can’t be a good way to meet one’s end! Amazing photos, though, as always!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:12 pm said:
  
  Bad day for the fish for sure, plus consider they often get swallowed still alive. 😯
  Thanks for checking out these pics!
  
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Molly Argo on June 11, 2013 at 6:55 pm said:

Wonderful series of one of my favorite birds doing what they do best!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:13 pm said:
  
  Thanks Molly and the anhinga is my favorite bird action to watch and photograph.
  
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dinajohnston on June 11, 2013 at 8:26 pm said:

Great action shots!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:13 pm said:
  
  Thanks glad you like ’em!
  
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Amy on June 11, 2013 at 9:14 pm said:

…then flipping the fish in mid air for a head first swallow — amazing capture!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:13 pm said:
  
  Thanks Amy, it is amazing to watch and photograph!
  
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lylekrahn on June 11, 2013 at 9:25 pm said:

Another great catch.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:14 pm said:
  
  Well those birds sure know what they are doing, while I’m mostly just stumbling around out there.
  
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photosfromtheloonybin on June 11, 2013 at 9:38 pm said:

Wow, wow, wow!!! Incredible shots, especially the first one. I can’t get over the detail you capture in your photos :).

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:14 pm said:
  
  I truly appreciate your very kind comments, thanks!
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on June 12, 2013 at 12:06 am said:

Amazing action photos; love the detail. That has got to scare the fish.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:15 pm said:
  
  Thanks much Charlie and oh yes, a bad day for the fish no doubt.
  
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edithlevyphotography on June 12, 2013 at 12:10 am said:

Really incredible shots Phil. The second to last image is outstanding.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:15 pm said:
  
  Thanks for checking these out Edith and glad you like them!
  
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adinparadise on June 12, 2013 at 1:29 am said:

These anhingas are certainly very efficient and clever with their beaks. I once tried to toss a pancake and it ended up on the floor. Your photos are amazing in their detail, even down to the terrified look in that hapless fish’s eye. 😯

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:16 pm said:
  
  Those anhingas are quite skilled at what they do for sure. I have dropped a burger trying to flip it on a grill. 😕 😦
  
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Steve Gingold on June 12, 2013 at 3:41 am said:

Love the toss. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks Steve, those birds are amazing!
  
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janmasyn on June 12, 2013 at 3:42 am said:

Wonderful action shots Phil and so detailed.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much for your kind words Jan.
  
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Dina on June 12, 2013 at 4:04 am said:

Bingo – Volltreffer! 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Dina!! Diese Vögel sind sehr schnell
  
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  - Dina on June 13, 2013 at 4:49 am said:
    
    Und du kannst sehr gut Deutsch, Phil! I’m impressed! 🙂
    
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Maggie Davey on June 12, 2013 at 5:56 am said:

Great shots of such a clever bird but I can’t help feeling sorry for the fish!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:20 pm said:
  
  It is a very skilled and clever bird but yes a sad day indeed for poor Mr. Fish.
  Thanks for looking Maggie.
  
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Andrew on June 12, 2013 at 7:44 am said:

Great close-ups, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:21 pm said:
  
  Thanks Andrew I appreciate it.
  
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The Dancing Rider on June 12, 2013 at 9:17 am said:

The close-ups are so cool. I’m impressed every time I visit! These birds are amazing (as are your photographs).

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:21 pm said:
  
  I greatly appreciate your kind words, thanks!
  
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Chillbrook on June 12, 2013 at 12:50 pm said:

I still can’t get my head around this bird. Stunning shots again Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:22 pm said:
  
  They really are amazing birds to watch Adrian and I never get tired of seeing them in action!
  Thanks very much for checking these out!
  
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bayphotosbydonna on June 12, 2013 at 2:47 pm said:

Amazing action captured! Kudos!!

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- Phil Lanoue on June 12, 2013 at 3:23 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million, I’m glad you enjoyed them!
  
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Kitt Crescendo on June 12, 2013 at 8:05 pm said:

What awesome shots! Talk about close up clarity on the first one. Poor stabbed fishy is now just part of the food chain. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on June 13, 2013 at 1:45 pm said:
  
  Yes that poor fish was not long for this world once it got stabbed by the anhinga who is so good at what it does.
  Glad you liked the pics!
  
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niasunset on June 14, 2013 at 2:34 am said:

Your watching birds with your camera and your amazing photographs make me to live these exciting moments… I can die for these moments… Because I love to watch them too, Thank you dear Phil, love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on June 15, 2013 at 12:56 pm said:
  
  You are very kind Nia thank you so much!
  Hope you have a very nice weekend!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on June 16, 2013 at 8:16 pm said:

Such a fantastic series Phil. I love how you capture each motion in such detail.

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- Phil Lanoue on June 17, 2013 at 7:20 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Emily so glad you enjoyed these!
  
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Laurie MacBride, Eye on Environment on June 18, 2013 at 3:30 am said:

Fabulous!

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Angela on May 20, 2015 at 6:29 am said:

Fishie goes to his final resting place.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 20, 2015 at 5:05 pm said:
  
  The fish were having a bad day.
  
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