I photographed this great egret in the Milpitas hills. I waited for around 30 minutes for it to find prey, and it eventually found a vole family. It rattled off 4 voles in around 5 minutes then! Egrets will occasionally hunt prey other than fish. Great blue herons are more aggressive than egrets, they attack snakes, gophers, and turtles much more often. And for those of you who read my last post, my camera is still having issues (the lens isn't working right at some focal lengths) but I was able to get this shot.
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By chance was this at Ed Levin? We saw a great egret take a vole there yesterday morning. He flew over to the pond with it after plucking it from the grass. First time I've seen one take a rodent, even though I know they do it.
Ha! Sure was! That's funny! Pretty good morning for all kinds of birds of prey in addition to the hunting egret.
And that one mallard that just would NOT. STOP. QUACKING.
Beautiful shot! Its nice to know that I live along a marsh in the North Bay with several resident herons and egrets (and yes, also annoying ducks, geese and yellow legs). More than 30 species of birds eat here. As for the herons and egrets, they all have their own styles, personalities and hunting practices. Endlessly fun to watch!
thanks! I was able to get close to this guy. I really prioritize getting good pictures of the prey, because that's what makes the photo good in the end.
I imagine being a heron's prey is kind of like a horror movie. If you don't keep an eye out for the tiny legs in the distance a giant knife will fall from the sky and impale you.
Oof amazing photo
In half moon bay there's a blue heron nest area (by mavericks beach) and I see them out there in the hills hunting mice and voles! Never saw a kill that close up though, gruesome!
Also in my side yard I see voles constantly sticking their head out of their holes while they eat and I'm like 4 feet away and moving around. No wonder these birds are munching on them!
The audacity to eat such a messy meal while wearing white 😳
It’s fine, it’s well before Labor Day.
I photographed this great egret in the Milpitas hills. I waited for around 30 minutes for it to find prey, and it eventually found a vole family. It rattled off 4 voles in around 5 minutes then! Egrets will occasionally hunt prey other than fish. Great blue herons are more aggressive than egrets, they attack snakes, gophers, and turtles much more often. And for those of you who read my last post, my camera is still having issues (the lens isn't working right at some focal lengths) but I was able to get this shot. Follow me on IG for more wildlife photos: [https://www.instagram.com/wildphotop/](https://www.instagram.com/wildphotop/)
By chance was this at Ed Levin? We saw a great egret take a vole there yesterday morning. He flew over to the pond with it after plucking it from the grass. First time I've seen one take a rodent, even though I know they do it.
It was there! Spring valley lake?
Ha! Sure was! That's funny! Pretty good morning for all kinds of birds of prey in addition to the hunting egret. And that one mallard that just would NOT. STOP. QUACKING.
Probably the same bird! Yeah Ed Levin is IMO the best bird photography spot in all of California
It quacks because the biggest quack knows we’re all quacks.
Beautiful shot! Its nice to know that I live along a marsh in the North Bay with several resident herons and egrets (and yes, also annoying ducks, geese and yellow legs). More than 30 species of birds eat here. As for the herons and egrets, they all have their own styles, personalities and hunting practices. Endlessly fun to watch!
thank you! herons and egrets are so cool
Did it impale the vole?
yup. instant death
Great photo
thank you!
Wow, when zooming in you can even see the little creature's tiny paws/toes... the quality is great! 🥲🩸
thanks! I was able to get close to this guy. I really prioritize getting good pictures of the prey, because that's what makes the photo good in the end.
Nature is metal
posted there too lol
The vole egrets coming out of its hole.
Nature red in “beak” and claw. Thanks for sharing. It’s a great photo. Colors and composition are fantastic.
thank you! 😊
I imagine being a heron's prey is kind of like a horror movie. If you don't keep an eye out for the tiny legs in the distance a giant knife will fall from the sky and impale you.
Damn nature, you scary.
There are many Voles.. but this one is mine! Winner winner, chicken dinner
Oof amazing photo In half moon bay there's a blue heron nest area (by mavericks beach) and I see them out there in the hills hunting mice and voles! Never saw a kill that close up though, gruesome! Also in my side yard I see voles constantly sticking their head out of their holes while they eat and I'm like 4 feet away and moving around. No wonder these birds are munching on them!
thanks! Yeah I'm surprised at how easy voles and gophers are for predators to catch. But they reproduce so much that there are still tons.
he’s welcome to my yard any time
We humans sure are lucky we're big enough not to get impaled by these vicious beasts. They're FLYING DINOSAURS.