Grebe Falls Prey 2 (Graphic)

[David Billingsley]

(Original Post) This may be a common occurrence, but I have never witnessed one. This took place at the San Bernard NWR near the upper Texas coast. The GBH attacked and killed the Grebe in about 48 seconds. The swallowing process took a little over ten minutes. Canon 40D, ISO 400, Evaluative metering, EC +1, f/5.6 @1/1600 sec, 500 F4 + 1.4 TC, BLUBB, Heavy crop - subject 100 yards from vehicle.

(Post #2) At this point, I didn't dream the GBH was going to attemp to swallow the Grebe whole. I wondered how it could position prey this size for head-first swallowing?? I will post several images of the process.

[Tony Whitehead]

Great sequence, David. Image-wise, maybe some CCW rotation.

[Arthur Morris]

Somebody or somme thing must be clairvoyant. On my health walk yesterday, I was wondering if a Great Blue ever grabbed a Pied-billed Grebe. Now I know. The image held up well to a big crop, a tesimonial to both yor long lens technique and the BLUBB Thanks for the mention.

I was surprised at +1 in the sun with your 40D--it sounds like a MIII EXP.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I prefer the pose and levelled horizon on the previous post...but the exposure looks better on this one. Man, you were blessed with a tremendous sighting - keep them coming!!

[David Billingsley]

Somebody or somme thing must be clairvoyant. On my health walk yesterday, I was wondering if a Great Blue ever grabbed a Pied-billed Grebe. Now I know. The image held up well to a big crop, a tesimonial to both yor long lens technique and the BLUBB Thanks for the mention.

I was surprised at +1 in the sun with your 40D--it sounds like a MIII EXP.

Artie, I have to admit the 500 F4 + 1.4TC + BLUBB was a major challenge for me to master. After much frustration and trying to blame the camera, lens, TC, and BLUBB - ALL the problems were poor techniques relating to long lens and shooting from a vehicle. I am pleased to say that my sharp images using the BLUBB are now in the 90% plus range.

dave b.