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The Fierce Catch

Fierce Catch

After standing motionless for a long period of time, a blue heron quickly moved in for the fierce catch.

A heron catching fish in a pond, with water splashing around it.

The heron posed long enough for me to click before consuming its breakfast. Sighted at the Great Marsh – Indiana Dunes National Park.

A great blue heron standing in shallow water, holding a fish in its beak, with reflections in the water and lush greenery in the background.

Another mouthful caught by a African gray heron in Kenya was featured on “More Than a Mouthful.”

All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.

Posted for Ragtag Daily Prompt – Fierce and Bird of the Week

I am curious to know your thoughts.

25 responses to “The Fierce Catch”

  1. norasphotos4u Avatar
    norasphotos4u

    Your patience paid off in some great photos!!

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Thanks, Nora. 😊

      Reply
  2. shoestringdiary Avatar
    shoestringdiary

    Stunning capture! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Thank you very much. 😉

      Reply
  3. singlikewildflowers Avatar
    singlikewildflowers

    These are fantastic photos and what a surprise to see the heron have the fish caught in its beak!! Your patience paid off.

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Thanks, Esther. I was so excited to get that shot. I have tried often and failed most of the time. 😉

      Reply
      1. singlikewildflowers Avatar
        singlikewildflowers

        It was a success this time!

        Reply
        1. Pepper Avatar
          Pepper

          Yes and I am excited about that. 😊

          Reply
  4. Linda Schaub Avatar
    Linda Schaub

    That’s a fantastic shot of the heron diving for its fish and then posing with that prize fish. I’m sure it went “down the hatch” in record time, so you were lucky to get the shot!

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Yes, it did! The only way I was able to get that shot was because my camera was set to burst mode. So I just held the shutter down and it clicked away. Otherwise, I probably would have missed it completely, 😉

      Reply
      1. Linda Schaub Avatar
        Linda Schaub

        That was lucky! I always shoot on automatic, so if I have good pictures, it is because the camera does the work. About the most I experiment with on the camera is if I’m watching birds or shooting water, I switch to the sports setting. I did spend a lot of time on the manual when I got the DSLR in 2018, but I went out and all my shots were under- or over-exposed, so I just keep it simple.

        Reply
  5. Hammad Rais Avatar
    Hammad Rais

    Catch of the day for heron while capture of the day for you 🙂

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Absolutely! 😁

      Reply
  6. M.B. Henry Avatar
    M.B. Henry

    Wow great shots!

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Thanks! Hope you are staying warm. 😉

      Reply
      1. M.B. Henry Avatar
        M.B. Henry

        Certainly trying to!!

        Reply
  7. sandyjwhite Avatar
    sandyjwhite

    Fantastic shots!

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Thanks, Sandy. 😊

      Reply
  8. Eliza Waters Avatar
    Eliza Waters

    Great camerawork! 👏🏼

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Thank you very much! 😁

      Reply
  9. Rupali Avatar
    Rupali

    Wonderful shots. Are they using Nikon z7ii?

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Thanks, Rupali. Nope, these were taken before I had the Z7ii. Both were shot with the D850 and a 300mm 2.8 lens and a 2X teleconverter.

      I actually find it easier to get this kind of shot with the Z7ii because it is so much lighter. I loved the D850 but I couldn’t handhold it steady for long. Hope that helps. 😊

      Reply
      1. Rupali Avatar
        Rupali

        This is some serious business. Thanks Irene.

        Reply
  10. Indira Avatar
    Indira

    Captured the fantastic moment.!!

    Reply
    1. Pepper Avatar
      Pepper

      Thanks! It was such a fun scene to capture and one I had failed at many times before this. 😁

      Reply
error: All photos are copyrighted by Pepper Tron (aka Irene Tron & Heavens Sunshine). All rights reserved. Unauthorized use is prohibited.