Monday, January 24, 2011

The Egret and the Vole

I wish these shots were sharper but no time to check camera settings much less set up a tripod.  Enlarge these for a better look, unless you're squeamish.  If you are you might like to avoid this post entirely,
In our area, voles are an important part of an egrets diet.  We spotted this guy out in the meadow while on our usual walk.  His whole body was quivering, much like a cat when it is after some prey.
 Suddenly he lunged.
 He didn't come up empty beaked!
 "Let's see if I can get this thing lined up for a straight shot"
 "Gulp, my mother told me never to chew my food"
"Look at me, aren't I the greatest?"

Linked to That's My World, Tuesday, hosted by Klaus, Sandy, Wren and Sylvia
and
World Bird Wednesday, hosted by Springman at Pine River Review
at

38 comments:

  1. Sylvia KJanuary 24, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    Such a beautiful bird! And your photos are superb, Martha! Love your bird talk as well! They fit the pictures perfectly! Great smile to start my day! Hope your week is off to a good start!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  2. KatneyJanuary 24, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    I love the last one.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Linda ReederJanuary 24, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Great photos! One wonders if that vole "wiggled and jiggled and tickled inside her".

    ReplyDelete
  4. HalcyonJanuary 24, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    Really nice shots! How wonderful that you caught this scene.

    ReplyDelete
  5. HalcyonJanuary 24, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    Really nice shots! How wonderful that you caught this scene.

    ReplyDelete
  6. PaulieJanuary 24, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    You were in the right place at the right time!

    ReplyDelete
  7. CarolJanuary 24, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    Nice series of shots, Martha. I've seen alot of egrets, but haven't witnesses this. That's what happens in nature...the food chain. Lucky you to get these photos.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownJanuary 24, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    Good series, Martha. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  9. RandiJanuary 24, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    Great collection of shots, Martha! I love the last one...

    My entry is here

    ReplyDelete
  10. Phil SladeJanuary 24, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    A well documented record Martha. Because we usually see egrets in the water we assume they take amphibious creatures, but as you point out they have a varied diet that includes mammals.

    ReplyDelete
  11. EG CameraGirlJanuary 24, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    Egrets, in my experience, are hard to photograph. They can move very fast!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Esther GarviJanuary 24, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    What a grand egret he is! Love the last shot!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. MarjaJanuary 24, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Great shots of this beautiful bird

    ReplyDelete
  14. GaelynJanuary 24, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    Wow, that sure was a fortunate sighting. Very cool to get the series.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Photo CacheJanuary 24, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    they are so wonderful to watch.

    ReplyDelete
  16. NatureFootstepJanuary 24, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    I love this. And .... this is how bird photography are. No time for adjustments. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Thank you for slowing me down, providing rest and ability to see the good and beautiful.

    Please have a good Tuesday you all.

    daily athens

    ReplyDelete
  18. Kay L. DaviesJanuary 24, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    And isn't he just too proud of himself? Wonderful shots, Martha!
    -- K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

    ReplyDelete
  19. Diane AZJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    What a neat observation. I've never seen an egret hunting in a field. Love the regal pose and caption at the end!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sallie (FullTime-Life)January 24, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    I have been waiting for this Martha! A great photo-essay, I enlarged every picture and enjoyed watching the meal progress (far from being squeamish). Good pictures and you have a great eye to have spotted this event.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yogi♪♪♪January 24, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    Great series of pics. Hey the egret has to eat and the vole can't live forever.

    ReplyDelete
  22. theconstantwalkerJanuary 25, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Lovely nature in action captures. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  23. Modesto ViegasJanuary 25, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    Good sequence!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. holdingmomentsJanuary 25, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    Great captures.
    Always good to see nature in the raw like that.

    ReplyDelete
  25. EbieJanuary 25, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    He seems like a very satisfied egret. The lunge shot is pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  26. mickJanuary 25, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    A great series and very nice that you were quick enough to capture it all.

    ReplyDelete
  27. SpringmanJanuary 25, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Fantastic series! How interesting to watch this beautiful creature make its living.

    ReplyDelete
  28. SondraJanuary 25, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    Nature is amazing---now Vole becomes Egret--wonderful series well DONE!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. BarbJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    Hi Martha - A photo essay of the Food Chain! I saw a fox catch a vole in much the same way. Great sequence.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Gemma Wiseman aka Pamela AdamsJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    O wow! Intriguing series! Love the proud stance of the bird in the last photo!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Sally in WAJanuary 25, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Great sequence! I didn't know they ate voles.

    ReplyDelete
  32. NeilJanuary 26, 2011 at 12:44 AM

    Great series of photos

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousJanuary 26, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    Wonderful series of photos -the egret in action!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hilke BrederJanuary 26, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    Nice sequence!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Empty NesterJanuary 26, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    I love egrets! I watched one with a fish last week and two others were hanging very close to him...he finally swallowed it whole and his neck was HUGE! Love you photos!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Tammie LeeJanuary 26, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    it is amazing to watch nature in action. I saw this once, even the lump in the throat as the meal slowly went down. lovely day to you.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Kim, USAJanuary 26, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    Oh this is beautiful.
    Watery Wednesday

    ReplyDelete
  38. Kathie BrownJanuary 28, 2011 at 5:30 AM

    I had no idea egrets ate voles!

    ReplyDelete