Bird eats bird

I captured a series of this situation where a dove had flew into something and fatally injured itself. A great blue heron spotted the thrashing and came over to investigate. It saw a easy meal and grabbed the dove and brought it down to the waters edge and started to soak it. After about 30 mins worth of attempts it got the shoulders of the dove inside the back of it's beak and swallowed the bird hole. Never knew that would eat another bird.
Thanks for looking, Rick

D2H w 600/4 w 14x, f5.6@1/1500 sec, iso 320

http://slopoki1.smugmug.com/photos/2..._xijgz-L-1.jpg

Hi Rick.
Thanks for sharing that, never new that either, but its a "Dog eat Dog" world out there.
I do like the shot and think if i had the photo i would try to mak a crop of only the hed beak and bird, but thats just me. :o)
Also i think i would give the photo some more color not shure if it would be to much.
Regards

I have seen images of herons eating rabbits but never a mourning dove. Did you get a chance to remove the TC to have the legs in the frame as well? I would also try to lighten the shadow crossing the heron's back.

Very interesting story! Lighting and positioning of subjects are good. Wpuld have liked to see the herons legs.

The prey looks more like an Eurasian Collared-Dove (lack of black spots, and presence of black line behind neck)? Excellent opportunity you were presented with. Normally I would have prefered the complete feet...but in this case the story makes that point moot. But as Axel mentions I hope you had time to take some without the TC. Thanks for sharing this awesome sight and story.

Really cool capture with one of my favorite former Nikon bodies.

As far as the feet go...yes, they would have been nice, however, they really have no impact to the story which you did indeed capture.

let's be honest...other than those of us here and perhaps a magazine editor....nobody else would ever comment on the lack of feet, given the rare action you did capture.

Great capture in my book.

Nice capture Rick. The Great Blue Heron does indeed eat birds, here at Gatorland they are notorious nest raiders and I've seen them pluck chicks and juveniles from the nests of many different species of birds and swallow them like candy. Have you tried a tighter vertical crop?

Mike Godwin
Gatorland

That's an impressing document! It's interesting to see the size of the bird which is quite large as prey for the
Great Blue Heron but these birds can handle it.
Thanks for sharing!
Greetings,
Marion

wow! thats a really awesome event to capture. Big time congrats!

I agree with Axel about the legs and the shadow.Very dramatic moment.Congratulations.