- This is true wild life at it's best. I love that wide expression on the bird's face as it holds that crab! I love it :) - Of Roses and Clouds
- This is just an awesome capture. Really nice, sharp shot man. - Photographyco
Chincoteague NWR, VA
Little Blue Heron Redish Egret with a crab. Looks like a softshell blue claw, right?
I saw 2 or 3 herons catch a crab in this spot - across from Tom's Cove and the visitors center.
Comments and faves
lr3127, andertho, VA Wild Rose, nal from miami, and 19 other people added this photo to their favorites.
lr3127 (21 months ago | reply)
it does look like a blue claw, that is one good looking sized crab. Wish I had caught it.
GrimPapa (21 months ago | reply)
did they seriously eat crabs of this size? can't imagine that would be comfortable.
Nikographer [Jon] (21 months ago | reply)
Oh yeah, the bird removed the claws and legs, then downed the body in one gulp. Then it hunted around for the bits and pieces it had ripped off and ate those too. And, it stood there for a few minutes - digesting ;)
DLC Photos (21 months ago | reply)
Very cool shot! Well done!
kgrin (21 months ago | reply)
Fantastic shot-- the chain of life caught in a moment.
VA Wild Rose (21 months ago | reply)
Wow! Crab for dinner! That is incredible!
smiles7 (21 months ago | reply)
What a grab. Outstanding.
1bluecanoe (21 months ago | reply)
What a catch!!! I'd be fasinated to see a heron down one! We have dunginess crabs here and I have yet to see a GBH on my dock with one but now I'll pay special attention!
nal from miami (21 months ago | reply)
(a moment of silence for the crab. . . )
OH My! Excellent capture . . . for both, the heron and you!
Hard-Rain (21 months ago | reply)
Awesome!
www.matthansenphotography.com (21 months ago | reply)
Very awesome moment! The colors...between the bird and the crab are great.
Manticor@ [deleted] (21 months ago | reply)
Fantastic capture!
she's gone fishin' (21 months ago | reply)
You've captured some amazing photos lately, did you ever consider entering them in the Nikon International Photo Contest ?
rivadock4 (21 months ago | reply)
Definitely a soft-shell but a huge one. That young bird will learn quickly if it catches a hard shell.
hvhe1 (21 months ago | reply)
How on earth are they're going to get these huge crabs in!! Fantastic capture, Jon!
I really like your animal photo!
You are invited to post this photo to Spectacular Animals, invite only
www.flickr.com/groups/spectacular_animals/
Please add the tag SpecAnimal to your photo
Please include a link to the photo when applying for group membership.
walla2chick (21 months ago | reply)
It's almost as big as he is! Wonderful capture!!
Larry's Photography (21 months ago | reply)
Jon, I hope people take the time to look at this in Large. What a stunning shot you did my friend.
Doug Lloyd (21 months ago | reply)
Super darn nice Jon
D
MP Free (21 months ago | reply)
Looks like a pretty big catch, nice shot!
bmthomas (21 months ago | reply)
Great Catch
backroadshutterbug (21 months ago | reply)
That's quite a crab he has there!
happyjax (21 months ago | reply)
Must be a Maryland Heron! They love those crabs hon!
Great shot Jon:)
george_gww (21 months ago | reply)
Spectacular shot Jon.
Ralf Nowak (21 months ago | reply)
Beautiful capture!
martinbraunphotography.com (21 months ago | reply)
nice one
Luis pe (21 months ago | reply)
hehehehe! a good one!!
Ted Ellis (21 months ago | reply)
There's more than a mouthful Jon! Excellent capture.
pamelas26 [deleted] (21 months ago | reply)
Very cool!! What a great experience it must have been to witness it's catch and enjoyment of it!
Nikon66 (21 months ago | reply)
Wow! Very impressive . . . both in terms of the bird gulping down something that big and for the incredible shot you took.
Angel Cher ♥ (21 months ago | reply)
Beautiful
vidular (21 months ago | reply)
Wonderful capture!
Erythrocephalus (21 months ago | reply)
That is fantastic! Great that you could grab this moment! An FYI that this is a Little Blue Heron. Reddish Egret sitings are incredibly rare in the Mid-Atlantic. A good confirmation is bill color and hunting style. Reddish Egrets work their territory like a linebacker, Little Blues take a more still approach...
Sindrinn (20 months ago | reply)
Beautiful capture!
MurrayH77 (19 months ago | reply)
Excellent!