Great Blue Heron Having Caught A Rabbit.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I couldn't believe my eyes when I turned the corner and saw this happening in the reeds! At first I had an obstructed view of the scene, so I had to back up and find a window between reeds for a good view. Boy was I hoping hard that it stayed there in that pose....it did!! I also learned that rabbits are NOT silent - when distressed they emit a gut-wrenching sound that added eerily to the scene. The young Eastern Cottontail never stood a chance.

Canon 7DII + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC III, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/125s., f/5.6, ISO 1600, FF, handheld, toned down the brighter highlights in the BG, reduced a heavy green cast in some areas.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Oh boy that is a winner! Super shot I like the colours, poor little bunny.
I think I would be tempted to lift the darker tones a little, just to see the effect.

In UK rabbits can be heard screaming when they know stoats are about.

[Colin Driscoll]

Just astonishing. Amazing that you were able to find such a clear shooting opening.

[David Roach]

Very cool get... I witnessed one catch and eat a marsh rabbit many years ago. Remember thinking "how is this going to go down the hatch". Shook it to death or till stunned, repositioned and down it went. Ok, 1/125 and FF and they both look like they are posing for you... Simply Amazing... TFS

[Dorian Anderson]

Contest entry, for sure! I've seen them eat all sorts of animals but NEVER a rabbit. So that alone is worth a lot here. I like the close view; it's clear the rabbit know's it's totally F'd. Nice intense look on the heron's face as well. An unforgettable frame....

[John Mack]

Boy, what a moment for sure. I photographed a fox catching a rabbit once and it was very loud. I was suprised. Detail looks great. The vertical framing is spot on.

[Randy Stout]

Daniel:

Amazing capture. Sad, but amazing. Kudos for backing up!

I might soften the arching blade going behind the heron's head, but outstanding as is.

Cheers

Randy