With temperatures expected to reach 18˚C, I opt to spend the day at the Stour Valley Nature Reserve, Dorset, with a super-telephoto lens, photographing nature. There have been numerous reports of otter activity along the river banks, and I continually keep a watchful eye for such an appearance, but it's a Grey Heron that give me the best shot of the week.
This resident adult bird was moving from rock to rock in mid-river, searching for its next meal. I watched for around half an hour while it made several attempts at a catch, when it suddenly bit off more that it could chew and pulled a perch from the water (photograph). Although it had a secure grip (and very possibly punctured the fish with its bill), it soon became obvious that it was too large and heavy to handle, let alone swallow, and allowed the fortunate fish to fall back into the river.
300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with TC-14EII converter. 1/2000 second at f/6.3. - 1 stop EV compensation. Monopod. ISO 400
© 2011
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