Grebe Falls Prey 3 (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 try 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.

(Post #3) After a great deal of GBH tossing expertise, the Grebe was finally in position for lunch. Next came the hard part.

(Post #4) To assist swallowing, the GBH held the Grebe under water to soak and then proceed. The soaking was performed numerous times during the process. The water droplets show the tossing motion required to accomplish the swallowing task. Extreme crop.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Excellent timing David and good exposure. I do find the OOF weeds in the water a distraction though and the blur in the neck area. The water droplets are a nice bonus and I like the touches of grass in the foreground. Many thanks form sharing.

[Robert Amoruso]

Well a first for me with a grebe though I saw one swallow a fish bigger then a grebe two weeks ago.

[W T Lloyd]

Unbelievable. If I didn't see it here, I would think it was photochopped.

I sure won't wonder anymore when I see them wolf down large frogs and fish!

[Doug Brown]

Technical issues aside, I've enjoyed viewing this series David! Amazing behavior photographed!

[David Billingsley]

Technical issues aside, I've enjoyed viewing this series David! Amazing behavior photographed!

Doug (and others),

Thanks for taking time to view the series and the C&Cs. I admit not making much effort fine tuning this series for a better technical representation. My primary goal was documenting an event not often witnessed, and so far has proven quite unique. Only two shots remaining in the series.

Everyone have a blessed day - dave b.