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Heron with Pike

Gallery: Regional: UKNPPosted February 21, 2011456 views35 comments

I was in two minds whether or not to post this image, I suppose because the standard of the images posted on UKNP is now so very high. But on reflection this isn't a sight you see everyday, so I think the shot is more about the behavior rather than the quality of the image, though some may disagree.

I have seen Heron tackle big fish before, but never one as big as this. After a thirty minute wrestle, this juvenile Heron finally gained the advantage over this rather large Pike and swallowed it down. If anyone is interested, there is the full sequence on my blog, thanks for looking.

1/1000th @ f5.6 +1stop iso800 ( 95% of FF and please view large )

All C&C's most welcome and thanks for the feedback on my last post.

Andy...

Comments

35 comments

Comment posted by Rene de Heer on February 21, 2011 at 4:33 PM

It is not always about a technically immaculate image...it is also about whether an image tells a story!
This image does so and I think its a very good image and I don't think technically there is a lot wrong wigh it either!
Rene de Heer

Registered on November 15, 2003, 31 Posts, 215 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Cole on February 21, 2011 at 4:34 PM

Andy, I'm not sure why you were in two minds as to whether to post this - it's an excellent image capturing some remarkable behaviour. I've never seen a heron catch a fish this size. It's incredible that it managed to swallow it.

Matt

Registered on February 18, 2008, 17 Posts, 267 Comments

Comment posted by Iain Tookey on February 21, 2011 at 4:34 PM

Amazing shot Andy, I checked out your blog for the other shots too, very interesting!

I know what you mean about the standard on here lately, but you have no worries on that score, I think its a great image, and in this case the behaviour captured makes it, although it's no slouch in the sharpness stakes either!

Registered on November 20, 2008, 3 Posts, 17 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Rosser on February 21, 2011 at 4:45 PM

Why on earth wouldn't you post this Andy. I love Herons, and this is a great image. They are not an easy subject to photograph, and you have done really well here. Love it, greedy bugger tho!

Paul Rosser

Registered on October 25, 2009, 61 Posts, 188 Comments

Comment posted by PhilH on February 21, 2011 at 4:49 PM

Andy, this is superb, it is well up there with some of the best... it is a great example of natural history photography.... the bird (and pike) stand out well against the bg water...

Like it very much....

Registered on December 31, 2004, 51 Posts, 281 Comments

Comment posted by Jeroen Stel on February 21, 2011 at 5:14 PM

Absolute a stunner in every way!
Love the huge pike and caught at the right moment!

Well done!

greetings,

Jeroen Stel

Registered on November 10, 2003, 366 Posts, 481 Comments

Comment posted by Dave Courtenay on February 21, 2011 at 5:20 PM

I witnessed the same when i lived in Switzerland-same size pike as well, One its amazing that they can handle a fish of this size and that they can fly afterwards
Well captured and taken

Dave

Registered on July 18, 2005, 56 Posts, 462 Comments

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on February 21, 2011 at 5:25 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys

Hi Charlie, after swallowing the Pike, the Heron sat there for over 2 hours without moving, I would imagine the digestion time for a fish this size would be a fair few hours.

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on February 21, 2011 at 5:41 PM

That is nothing short of astonishing, and I amreally glad you posted it.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Shaun Simpson on February 21, 2011 at 6:08 PM

Awesome shot I cannot believe it managed to swallow it

Registered on June 6, 2010, 12 Posts, 110 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 21, 2011 at 8:33 PM

Good Lord - it actually swallowed this thing?? The pike looks longer than the heron's whole neck.
Sure, it's great to have a technically-excellent image - but unusual or interesting behavior also counts a lot. THis is not an "ideal" image but quite good - decent detail, good angle. This image is definitely a keeper, and well worth posting!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Mangas on February 21, 2011 at 9:55 PM

This is awesome, thanks for sharing it Andy.

Registered on November 9, 2007, 94 Posts, 568 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on February 22, 2011 at 3:15 AM

Andy that's amazing,pleased you posted it .

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Dale Sutton on February 22, 2011 at 3:35 AM

Superb Andy
I have witnessed this too also with Little Egret & Bittern.
Great natural colour too.

Dale

Registered on December 9, 2009, 15 Posts, 84 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Burton on February 22, 2011 at 4:17 AM

Brilliant Andy, love the whole series. Great blog too!

Registered on September 16, 2010, 26 Posts, 461 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Kirkham on February 22, 2011 at 5:16 AM

Hi Andy
To me this sums up natural history photography at its best. Right place, right time, right settings, patience, and a first class knowledge of the subject, resulting in a photograph that is hugely interesting and a well deserved result.
Best wishes
Phil

Registered on October 9, 2004, 63 Posts, 153 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on February 22, 2011 at 6:39 AM

Glad you decided to post this Andy it is a very natural image that isn t staged or baited (not that there is anything wrong with that) but its good to see something different and only you will have this shot, it is amazing how they swallow these huge fish

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on February 22, 2011 at 7:21 AM

What a brilliant catch, for you and the heron

I'd never have believed a heron could have caught such a big fish and a pike at that, they have a fierce reputation and rows of razor sharp teeth too.
Well done for photographing this Andy.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Davies on February 22, 2011 at 8:05 AM

Super behaviourial image .

Registered on February 3, 2009, 21 Posts, 327 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Jones on February 22, 2011 at 8:06 AM

Lovely natural image Andy and love the pose, this is as close to nature as you can get so glad you did post it

Registered on January 31, 2009, 67 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on February 22, 2011 at 8:13 AM

All been said

Spot on
I commented on this last night but missed the button !!
Wonder why?

John R

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Tom_W on February 22, 2011 at 8:34 AM

Post away... amazing image...

Registered on December 10, 2003, 38 Posts, 87 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Bryant on February 22, 2011 at 9:05 AM

Fantastic Andy

Registered on March 31, 2006, 473 Posts, 1081 Comments

Comment posted by Oscar Dewhurst on February 22, 2011 at 12:54 PM

Fantastic behavioural shot

I once saw one take an eel about this size, but could not get a shot of it

Oscar

Registered on August 6, 2009, 85 Posts, 502 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Askew on February 22, 2011 at 2:32 PM

Wow what a catch superb shot
Rob

Registered on February 19, 2011, 11 Posts, 90 Comments

Comment posted by Walt Sterneman on February 22, 2011 at 4:30 PM

Great capture Andy. I guess I'm going to have to be more careful the next time I run into a man eating Heron!

Registered on March 24, 2010, 73 Posts, 1268 Comments

Comment posted by David Kjaer on February 23, 2011 at 5:14 AM

Love it Andy - this is after all a NATURE Photographers forum and for me at least the most important part is the content you have captured so IMO this is up there with the best.

David

Registered on January 4, 2006, 128 Posts, 4170 Comments

Comment posted by Justin on February 23, 2011 at 5:23 AM

A moment captured perfectly.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 106 Posts, 1697 Comments

Comment posted by John Fan on February 23, 2011 at 8:48 AM

Amazing capture.

Registered on August 24, 2010, 135 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Phillip Tomkinson on February 23, 2011 at 9:25 AM

Very nice Andy.

Phil.

Registered on July 14, 2005, 194 Posts, 427 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Rogers on February 23, 2011 at 1:50 PM

Hello Andy.

Excellent capture and what a sight to see, and I'm glad you posted it.

Registered on January 16, 2007, 450 Posts, 995 Comments

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on February 24, 2011 at 6:35 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Dave Bartlett on February 24, 2011 at 7:15 AM

Brilliant action and nature at its best. Can't imagine why you were in two minds about posting it though!!

Registered on March 9, 2008, 9 Posts, 113 Comments

Comment posted by Bertl Menegoni on February 24, 2011 at 12:57 PM

Congrats from me too Andy, this is REALLY fabulous.

Bertl

Registered on November 19, 2007, 24 Posts, 265 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Johnson on February 25, 2011 at 3:57 AM

Amazing sight Andy, top capture.

Bob

Registered on December 8, 2010, 17 Posts, 169 Comments