Playing "Chicken"

[Mads Syndergaard]

It is said that some youngsters of the Homo Sapiens species like to get in their cars and race headlong at each other, to see who "chickens out" first. I witnessed something similar with this heron vs. common gull, and the heron won the match. I believe he had been raiding the gull's nest because he was certainly agitated right from the word "go", but stood his ground.
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EOS 1D mkIV with EF 600mm IS USM, shot at f7.1, 1/1600, -1EV ISO 400
I have a few more from the encounter on my photoblog website if you'd care to view.

[Ritesh Nangare]

what an impressive bird fight you catch here love the reaction on the face of Heron Here ..... Like the frame , there is an yellow cast all over the frame.

[Mads Syndergaard]

Hi Ritesh it is an early morning shot=warm yellow light. I could easily correct that, but it'd sort of defeat the purpose of getting up early to shoot in the morning light? Thanks for commenting though!

[Jonathan Ashton]

A good example of right place right time...and ready! A really interesting shot, I have never seen a heron with so many feathers ruffled like that.

[Raybel Robles]

Very unique frame for sure. I really like the interaction here.

[Jim Crosswell]

A very interesting behaviour image Mads. I like the action and composition.

[Mads Syndergaard]

Hi Guys thanks for the comments, I have been travelling and off the grid for some days so I only got to see them now. Glad you enjoyed the shot!