Woody’s Big Breakfast
Friday morning I looked to my left just in time to get a piece of this wood stork flying in with a nice fish it had just plucked out of the marsh pond. Woody landed right in front of me and proceeded to parade around his catch while simultaneously wrestling with it.
At the same time I glanced behind me and noticed this juvenile spoonbill coming in for a landing next to another wood stork. You can also see a snowy egret and two tricolored herons in the background. But by the time I turned back around again Woody had already gulped down his fish. That was fast!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Excellent shots Phil, sharp and plenty of detail.
Thanks Jan, it almost makes it easy when they come in nice and close.
You always get the best shots…I guess the birds know you are going to make them famous.
I’m glad you like the shots. When they walk over and show off their catch I think they want to be published. 🙂
Oh, the wood stork wearing a helmet, right? 😛
These are great photos again, Phil! ▲
Those wood storks are a bit rough to look at but they are interesting birds.
So glad you liked these photos!
thank you, it is so nice of you to share! Michele
I greatly appreciate you looking and commenting Michele!
That 4th shot is my favourite. All that wonderful activity and you seem to catch so much.
Hey that’s my favorite as well! The birds almost do make it easy when they cooperate so nicely by bringing their catch over to show it off.
Wow, unbelievable series of photos.
Thanks Mark, it’s great to know you really enjoyed these wood stork photos.
That’s a huge fish! Very nice photos. 🙂
It is a big fish and unusual for a wood stork too. Although they are quite large birds I mostly only see them eating tiny fish and shrimp.
Wow, that’s one big fish he caught! Of course, it also has eyes. 😦 I forgive you though, as your photos are so excellent. 🙂
Once again I knew the fishy face was going to get to you Sylvia, sorry about that. But what can I do? Mr. Wood Stork is so proud of his catch and insists on showing it off to me I feel compelled to take his picture. 🙂
Looks like a mighty huge fish to swallow in such a hurry.
It is a big fish for a wood stork. Although they are quite large birds I mostly only see them catching small fish and shrimp. He got it down quick though, with a big crowd around he had no choice.
That is so amazing! The detail on the fish is incredible. Do they have little teeth that holds the fish in their bill like that? Fascinating! Love that you got this.
They don’t have teeth but they do have a strong and SUPER fast bill! They have one of the fastest reaction times of closing it on a fish of any bird. They snap closed in a millisecond.
Glad you enjoyed these photos!
Amazing size on that catch. Great detail. Enjoyed these so. They are very adept with their bills. Yikes.
The wood storks have a *very* fast reaction time with their bills. If they feel a fish swim by they can snap shut on it in a millisecond.
Glad you liked these photos!
I veer between feeling sorry for the fish and admiration of the bird! Your shots are super, Phil, especially the close-up! That’s a big fish to get down in one gulp like that!
We do sometimes feel bad for the fish especially when they make those sad faces as they are about to slide down the throat of some hungry bird. I don’t normally see wood storks catch large fish so this one was a bit unusual.
Seriously. Do the birds flock to you and know you’re trying to capture them in all of their hunting glory?
They are starting to get wise though, I think they are getting agents and will start demanding 10%. Except I don’t make any money off of them. 😕
These can’t get any better! You have caught both the eyes of the catcher and the victim! Marvelous! Fabulous focus!
Thanks a bunch for the very kind comments Paula I really appreciate it and happy to know you liked seeing big old woody. 🙂
Mr. Woodie got himself quite a mouthful there.