Egret with Vole + Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted February 17, 2012131 views8 comments

This was the second time in a week that I witnessed an egret eating a vole. The first time my autofocus went haywire, so got nothing. This time I was able to get a few images. D300, 1.4TC, F7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500. All comments and criticism appreciated.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 17, 2012 at 11:48 PM

Nice capture, and good work on the whites. Nicely sharp across the whole big bird. I'm always amazed what egrets can choke down.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on February 18, 2012 at 10:21 AM

Jim, very nice capture. Excellent timing. Sharp and well exposed. These are beauiful birds that we do not see up here. I 'd be interested in finding out how the egret got the vole, if you saw it happen. Was it an ambush? Was it an opportunistic find? Etc. Thanks for posting.

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on February 18, 2012 at 10:59 AM

Yummy! Very cool capture, congrats on being able to nail it on a second chance.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on February 18, 2012 at 3:56 PM

Nice sharp image. Unusual and interesting! The colors could use a little warming. At least it looks so on my monitor.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on February 18, 2012 at 4:55 PM

Thanks for the comments. Roger, unfortunately I didn't see the egret take the vole. It was hanging from the beak when I arrived. My guess is they just hold still in the tall grass and wait for a vole to come by, and grab it. Phil, I will try to get a warmed version up soon.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on February 18, 2012 at 7:24 PM

Here is a slightly warmer version. I do like it better. Thanks Phil.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Gazso on February 19, 2012 at 2:29 PM

What lens?

Registered on February 5, 2012, 10 Posts, 25 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on February 19, 2012 at 4:14 PM

Sorry Dennis. It is a 300 F4.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments