Eye To Eye

Gallery: AvianPosted October 2, 2010222 views14 comments

I can only imagine the Panic running through the garter snakes tiny brain as he looks into the Blue Heron's eyes (for the last time.)
This "Lunch Portrait" is a 50% crop from the original vertical and is one of several I was able to get last week at the Ridgefield NWR, WA
I would have preferred a tad more canvas around the heron but had I exited my car to move back or started it to backup I'm sure I would have lost the shot.

ADDITIONAL HERON VS SNAKE PHOTO'S CAN BE VIEWED AT . . .
http://www.craigstrandphotography.com/p43834098/h3f22fe6d#h3f22fe6d

Your comments always appreciated, Larger version available!

canon 7D
canon 600mm f4.L IS USM
F/8. 1/1000 ISO 160
auto window beanbag rest

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Loulou Beavers on October 2, 2010 at 7:10 AM

Great moment and timing.

Registered on June 21, 2008, 73 Posts, 205 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on October 2, 2010 at 12:36 PM

Unique moment you captured here, Craig. Great detail and exposure control.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on October 2, 2010 at 1:59 PM

Love how the heron is almost cross-eyed looking at the head of the snake. Very well done Craig.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on October 2, 2010 at 2:16 PM

A unique image. Well done.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on October 2, 2010 at 2:37 PM

That's incredible. Is the rest of the snake already in the birds mouth or hanging behind its neck? I wouldn't want to be that garter snake.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on October 2, 2010 at 2:45 PM

How nice that you got a catchlight in the bird & snake's eyes! I like the tight comp here to show the action. I might bump the contrast down a smidge to show more detail and the darks and back the saturation off a small amount too, but those are minor and easy to do.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on October 2, 2010 at 3:27 PM

Sally,
Yes the rest of the snakes body is already swallowed and partway down the throat. This is one of 3 snakes I watched him eat and this one gave him the biggest fight. The snakes body enters just on the otherside of the Herons beak.
Their are additional photo's available at... http://www.craigstrandphotography.com/p43834098/h3f22fe6d#h3f22fe6d

Thanks, Craig

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on October 2, 2010 at 4:03 PM

An absolutely amazing photo, Craig!

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 2, 2010 at 9:57 PM

Impressive series of snake/heron photos, nice work Craig.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on October 3, 2010 at 12:35 AM

Craig,
Has he already swallowed most of the snake? This is really a cool capture. Never seen anything like it before. The comp does not bother me at all. I rather like it. Congrats on this Craig.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on October 3, 2010 at 12:00 PM

The bird's expression with the eye is priceless. Definitely a keeper! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 3, 2010 at 12:43 PM

Just back from your website. What a remarkable group of photos. I am impressed with the clarity and rarity of each one. Congrats on a great job.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on October 3, 2010 at 8:52 PM

Quite the shot Craig. I love the crosseyed look victim and victor are exchanging and the fact that we see the head of the snake and the bulge the rest of its body is making in the throat of the heron - all at the same time.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on October 4, 2010 at 5:26 PM

Great capture! Like the tight crop and the snake on the bill.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments