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!

29 thoughts on “Woody’s Big Breakfast”

janmasyn on October 7, 2013 at 2:05 pm said:

Excellent shots Phil, sharp and plenty of detail.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 8, 2013 at 12:24 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jan, it almost makes it easy when they come in nice and close.
  
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Karen on October 7, 2013 at 2:15 pm said:

You always get the best shots…I guess the birds know you are going to make them famous.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 8, 2013 at 12:26 pm said:
  
  I’m glad you like the shots. When they walk over and show off their catch I think they want to be published. 🙂
  
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pixelspielerei on October 7, 2013 at 4:48 pm said:

Oh, the wood stork wearing a helmet, right? 😛

These are great photos again, Phil! ▲

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- Phil Lanoue on October 8, 2013 at 12:26 pm said:
  
  Those wood storks are a bit rough to look at but they are interesting birds.
  So glad you liked these photos!
  
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michele ross on October 7, 2013 at 6:59 pm said:

thank you, it is so nice of you to share! Michele

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- Phil Lanoue on October 8, 2013 at 12:27 pm said:
  
  I greatly appreciate you looking and commenting Michele!
  
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Lyle Krahn on October 7, 2013 at 7:16 pm said:

That 4th shot is my favourite. All that wonderful activity and you seem to catch so much.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 8, 2013 at 12:28 pm said:
  
  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.
  
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Mark Kertesz on October 7, 2013 at 7:16 pm said:

Wow, unbelievable series of photos.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 8, 2013 at 12:28 pm said:
  
  Thanks Mark, it’s great to know you really enjoyed these wood stork photos.
  
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Deb W. Trotter on October 7, 2013 at 7:22 pm said:

That’s a huge fish! Very nice photos. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on October 8, 2013 at 12:29 pm said:
  
  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.
  
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adinparadise on October 7, 2013 at 8:12 pm said:

Wow, that’s one big fish he caught! Of course, it also has eyes. 😦 I forgive you though, as your photos are so excellent. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on October 8, 2013 at 12:31 pm said:
  
  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. 🙂
  
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Gunta on October 8, 2013 at 1:00 am said:

Looks like a mighty huge fish to swallow in such a hurry.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 8, 2013 at 12:32 pm said:
  
  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.
  
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Angelia Sims on October 8, 2013 at 2:48 am said:

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.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 8, 2013 at 12:34 pm said:
  
  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!
  
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The Dancing Rider on October 8, 2013 at 5:28 pm said:

Amazing size on that catch. Great detail. Enjoyed these so. They are very adept with their bills. Yikes.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 9, 2013 at 1:04 pm said:
  
  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!
  
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foxleylady on October 9, 2013 at 5:10 am said:

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!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 9, 2013 at 1:06 pm said:
  
  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.
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on October 9, 2013 at 3:46 pm said:

Seriously. Do the birds flock to you and know you’re trying to capture them in all of their hunting glory?

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- Phil Lanoue on October 9, 2013 at 4:50 pm said:
  
  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. 😕
  
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Paula on October 11, 2013 at 8:09 am said:

These can’t get any better! You have caught both the eyes of the catcher and the victim! Marvelous! Fabulous focus!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 11, 2013 at 3:28 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch for the very kind comments Paula I really appreciate it and happy to know you liked seeing big old woody. 🙂
  
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Steve Gingold on October 12, 2013 at 5:11 pm said:

Mr. Woodie got himself quite a mouthful there.

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