Unusual Chase

Early this morning there were quite a few birds fishing in the marsh pond. I saw this egret catch a fish then was surprised to see him jump up and fly off with it because they usually just gulp fish down right on the spot.

I soon found out why the egret was flying when I realized he had been jumped by a wood stork that wanted the egret’s fish. Two things immediately struck me as odd about that. Wood storks are generally not this aggressive, and there seemed to be plenty of fish out there for everybody so why the huge fuss over this small fish?!

It got even more unusual when a second wood stork joined in and now the egret was being chased by two storks all over the pond area. The egret had a heck of a time holding on to his fish as the chase continued out over the salt marsh.

Eventually the wood storks gave up and the egret got to keep his fish but it sure seemed to be a lot of trouble and effort over one small fish!

30 thoughts on “Unusual Chase”

Boyd Greene Fine Art on August 30, 2014 at 5:40 pm said:

Neat images. The two with an odd number of birds are amazing. Something about an odd number. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on August 30, 2014 at 5:42 pm said:
  
  The whole scene was odd we thought, but still fun. 🙂 Thanks a bunch for looking.
  
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moondustwriter on August 30, 2014 at 6:32 pm said:

They were showing off for you!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 30, 2014 at 7:19 pm said:
  
  They were putting on a heck of a show for sure! Always a fun time out there. 🙂
  
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Judy on August 30, 2014 at 6:51 pm said:

Terrific story, wonderful light, lovely crisp images…love the series!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 30, 2014 at 7:21 pm said:
  
  The early morning light was especially good in the first picture but then they decided to mess with me by flying out over the salt marsh which really back lit them. I had to make adjustments on the fly, just like the egret! 🙂
  
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Pat on August 30, 2014 at 7:46 pm said:

Wow! Great captures of the chase!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 30, 2014 at 8:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks much! I think this was the first time I ever saw wood storks do a flying chase of another bird. And all over a little fish too.
  
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Gunta on August 30, 2014 at 9:32 pm said:

You never cease to amaze! Totally stunning shots, as usual.

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- Phil Lanoue on August 30, 2014 at 9:43 pm said:
  
  Well thanks very much I appreciate the kind comments and glad you like seeing the wild and wacky world of the marsh!
  
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storstadsnatur on August 31, 2014 at 5:31 am said:

It´s a matter of principle, said the wood storks.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 1, 2014 at 5:21 pm said:
  
  Oh well of course. 🙂
  
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anotherday2paradise on August 31, 2014 at 8:21 am said:

Beautiful images, Phil. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on August 31, 2014 at 9:12 am said:
  
  Thanks very much Sylvia I’m glad you liked seeing the morning marsh action.
  Sorry I have not been around your blog or others, and have been slack with responding to comments, but my mom has been in the hospital and just yesterday I signed documents to start hospice for her.
  I’ve been trying to maintain a minimal presence here by posting photos because it has been therapeutic for us lately to go out and see our wildlife friends.
  
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  - anotherday2paradise on August 31, 2014 at 3:56 pm said:
    
    No problem, Phil. I guessed that you were having some family issues. It must be a very difficult time. Sending hugs to you all.
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on September 1, 2014 at 5:22 pm said:
      
      Thanks much Sylvia, we are just trying to keep mom comfortable and right now it’s all going pretty well.
      
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Linda on August 31, 2014 at 10:17 am said:

Great colors and beautiful birds, wonderful shots.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 1, 2014 at 5:23 pm said:
  
  Thank you, they are pretty birds!
  
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babsje on August 31, 2014 at 11:59 am said:

Fabulous captures, Phil, that ,it’s have been so exciting to behold. And I’m glad you included the wider-angle shot that shows them in flight over the marsh grasses – its not often that you show us that perspective of your salt marsh, interesting to see more if it.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 1, 2014 at 5:24 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch for the kind words and you bring up a good point, maybe I should think about showing some more overall views. 🙂
  
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  - babsje on September 1, 2014 at 8:23 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome, and yes, please do! Although your usual offerings are always excellent, so don’t cut back on those in any way just it show off the broader marsh.
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on September 1, 2014 at 8:41 pm said:
      
      I like the idea very much and will keep it in mind during upcoming visits. Right now we have had some feeding frenzys going on with birds all over the place. That’s actually what was going on when I took these chase shots. So perhaps a wide shot of some of that might work.
      
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The Lite Rider on August 31, 2014 at 5:03 pm said:

It looks like food is the number one marsh motivator! Not that I have to choose a favorite, but I can’t decide which shot *is* my fave. And Mr. Egret still had the little fish firmly grasped. This is amazing, and beautiful ( with the dark background, then the grass underneath) stuff. I think my fave may be the first in the series. I can’t believe Mr. Wood would go after that fish!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 1, 2014 at 5:26 pm said:
  
  I was shocked that the woody’s chased the egret especially for a small fish. Normally the storks act like such behavior would not be worth the effort. Oh well, maybe fishing was not too good over in their section of the marsh, they were all lined up in one area. 🙂
  
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meyer23 on September 1, 2014 at 3:28 pm said:

Awesome shots. The first is my favorite. Love those refections

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- Phil Lanoue on September 1, 2014 at 5:27 pm said:
  
  Thanks for checking these out and glad you enjoyed seeing the chase!
  
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Paula on September 2, 2014 at 4:24 am said:

Wouldn’t it have been easier for the egret to have swallowed it at once and escape the chase 😀 This is a fun post, Phil. Thank you for the laughs 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on September 4, 2014 at 6:47 pm said:
  
  That is what they usually do, one quick gulp and the fish is down. I guess this egret is not a fast eater. 🙂
  Thanks for looking Paula.
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on September 2, 2014 at 1:27 pm said:

I enjoy the technical quality of your images which are superbly done, it is the story you capture that is so engaging…Well done.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 4, 2014 at 6:47 pm said:
  
  Hey thanks very much Charlie, I’m happy you enjoy seeing the bird action out there!
  
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