Siren's Song

Gallery: AvianPosted December 14, 2012232 views14 comments

This great blue heron caught a greater siren in a wetland near my home. Another GBH was chasing it to try and steal the amphib I guess. I knew great blues love to eat these interesting amphibs, but I guess they must be really preferred food items if they chase each other for them.

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4 + 1.4x TC
ISO 800
1/2000s
f/8
manual exp.
hand held
basically full frame

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on December 14, 2012 at 6:26 PM

That's a cracking shot, Ron, with plenty of detail. Interesting story too.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on December 14, 2012 at 6:33 PM

If these things taste at all like the eel they are similar too - they are delicious! (sushi lover, here)
Nice catch - a great view of the siren and heron's face/beak. Nice detail, light and pose.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 14, 2012 at 6:39 PM

Perfect techs, as usual. Interesting activity, as usual.

Well done, as usual.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 14, 2012 at 7:08 PM

Excellent flight shot, Ron. Nice and sharp and I like the placement of the bird over the horizon. Sirens are interesting critters.

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

Comment posted by Dan Roberts on December 14, 2012 at 7:17 PM

Great position on the bird, nicely exposed, and a great story.

Registered on March 9, 2011, 69 Posts, 501 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on December 14, 2012 at 8:29 PM

Great Photo! Fine detail, position, color and behavior in this image. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on December 14, 2012 at 8:59 PM

Well caught, Ron. I watched a GBH fighting one of these for 30 minutes. Never did get it down. I finally gave up, and so did the Great Blue.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on December 14, 2012 at 9:35 PM

I had to look up what a siren was especially after seeing this shot. Wonderful flight shot with an interesting twist

, way to go Ron.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on December 15, 2012 at 8:14 AM

Once again another beauty. Great behavioral shot and very sharp. At first look I thought it was a snake. Had to look siren up on wikipedia and found out they only have two tiny legs and grow up to 36 inches. Very interesting about the other GBH trying to steal the siren.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on December 15, 2012 at 9:19 AM

Great details, beautiful frame n catch light too !

Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on December 15, 2012 at 12:02 PM

Interesting behavior, Ron. The image is very sharp and gives a great view of the converts. As usual great techs. I find it interesting you handhold for all your images even @700mm. That is mighty impressive, given the quality of images you come up with.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on December 15, 2012 at 12:46 PM

Nice pose and action. Good detail; I like how you caught the curve of the right wing.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on December 15, 2012 at 7:48 PM

Cool flight shot-great detail, and very interesting info on the food preferences of GBH's. Well captured Ron.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on December 17, 2012 at 8:12 PM

Interesting prey, excellent image.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments