Spearfishing! Some birds such as anhingas catch their prey by grabbing them with their open bills - usually from top to bottom, and then when they surface they have to toss the fish up...

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Some birds such as anhingas catch their prey by grabbing them with their open bills - usually from top to bottom, and then when they surface they have to toss the fish up to try to catch it in a head-down position so that it can be safely swallowed. Great Blue Herons spear their prey, then manipulate it in the shallows, or in the mud, or even on the shore. The first task is to simply get it "un-speared" from their long bill!

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jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN

wow, great sequence and photos. That's a pretty big fish to un-spear.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

sb wrote:

Some birds such as anhingas catch their prey by grabbing them with their open bills - usually from top to bottom, and then when they surface they have to toss the fish up to try to catch it in a head-down position so that it can be safely swallowed. Great Blue Herons spear their prey, then manipulate it in the shallows, or in the mud, or even on the shore. The first task is to simply get it "un-speared" from their long bill!

A superb set 💢💥💢💥💢

angler Loc: StHelens England

Excellent captures SB.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

A really nice sequence.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Excellent action sequence, Steve!

Umnak Loc: Mount Vernon, Wa.

Wow!! That's a huge fish and excellent shots!
Well done!
Rob

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Good capture!

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

sb wrote:

Some birds such as anhingas catch their prey by grabbing them with their open bills - usually from top to bottom, and then when they surface they have to toss the fish up to try to catch it in a head-down position so that it can be safely swallowed. Great Blue Herons spear their prey, then manipulate it in the shallows, or in the mud, or even on the shore. The first task is to simply get it "un-speared" from their long bill!

Nice set Steve

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Excellent series, Steve...he/she is more successful at fishing then I am!!

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good set, Steve.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Wonderful photographs. Nice job.

Dennis

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Great action series Steve and I am amazed at the size of the catch!

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Great captures Steve!

Chembro2

MANY FISHERMEN AND WOMEN HERE IN FLORIDA MAKE THE MISTAKE OF THROWING A FISH THEY DON'T WANT ON TO THE DOCK FOR THE HERONS THAT STAND WAITNG. THOSE HERONS MOVE IN QUICKLY AND PULL THEIR HEADS BACK AND BANG!!! THEY SPEAR THE FISH WITH SUCH FORCE NOT REALIZING IT'S LAYING ON SOLID WOOD DECK BOARDS. I HAVE SEEN THEM SPEAR THEMSELVES TO THE DOCK UNABLE TO PULL FREE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIOS BREAK THEIR BILLS. NOT GOOD.