This is a look at the weather loach (fish) not seen in my previous posts of this bird.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed the female Belted Kingfisher just over 3 weeks ago as she was beating up on the loach before swallowing it. When caught these fish are slippery, squirmy and flexible and in my other shots of the behavior the loach had almost tied itself in knots so its body couldn’t be seen particularly well. This is one of the few shots where its slender, eel-like body is extended for better viewing.
These loaches (there are several species) are native to East Asia and invasive in North America. They’re a popular aquarium fish, partly due to a fascinating behavior. They’re able to detect changes in barometric pressure and approaching storms make them noticeably hyperactive with frantic swimming and standing on end – thus the name “weather loach”. They’re actually used to predict weather (I’ll bet they’re more accurate than our local forecasters too…).
Loaches (they can reach a foot in length) are a common human food fish in East Asia with large-scale fish farming providing great quantities of them to local markets and restaurants. Personally, I’m grateful that (as far as I know) in North America these bottom dwelling scavengers are only eaten by our birds. They don’t look very appetizing to me.
Ron
NICE!!!
Beautiful picture.
Thanks, Jean.
I never get tired of watching your Kingfisher’s images. Simply beautiful.
Thanks for sharing.
As for the invasive species we have one here that came from USA. It’s the Louisiana Red Crayfish. First introduced in Spain he spread like a fire and now lives everywhere both in Spain and Portugal. Fortunately Storks, Herons and Egrets feed on them…
Interesting, Jorge. I didn’t know about “our” crayfish being an invasive in Portugal and Spain. Sadly, invasives seem to be a problem just about everywhere.
They should learn how to make crawfish etouffe or crawfish gumbo or any one of the Louisiana Cajun recipes. YUM!!
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I am pretty certain that a used tissue provides more accurate weather information that our local boffins. Temperature they are reasonable on. Precipitation is an epic fail. They are very, very skilled at forcasting incontinent pigeon rain (splat, splat and its gone) as torrential.
I am not certain I have ever been hungry enough to look at that loach as an appetising meal.
Love the kingfisher.
You do have a way with words, EC – especially when they involve your beloved weather forecasters. I feel pretty much the same about them. I don’t blame them for not knowing “stuff” – only for pretending that they do and then glossing over how wrong they were.
Interesting shot of bird and prey…it’s a good thing that this particular invasive introduced specie provides food for so many native ( and non-native) critters….at least thete is some degree of control even if minimal…
“at least there is some degree of control even if minimal”
Makes you wonder how choked our waterways would be with loaches if it weren’t for birds eating them, doesn’t it, Patty?
Don’t like to even think about it!!!
Nice shot and very informative!! The loach is amazing! I’m thinking of their use in tsunamis and other violent acts of Mother Nature. The animal world has so much to teach us humans, if we would listen and pay attention. Dogs can detect cancer, let one know when a seizure is imminent, and loaches can predict weather. And that’s just a tiny sample of their abilities. Thanks for this interesting post!!
Thank you, Jane.
I’m not sure loaches could predict tsunamis because as far as I know tsunamis don’t involve changes in barometric pressure but you’re sure right about the amazing abilities of many animals to detect various phenomena.
That looks like a good meal for the Kingfisher (in terms of size). Any idea how many they eat in a day?
And I just love the Kingfisher. Yes, she is a looker!
As for weather critters, I think the guy here needs 1) a window, 2) a thermometer, 3) a weather loach and 4) a weather rock!
“Any idea how many they eat in a day”
Not really, Laura. But I saw this one eat four loaches in about 90 minutes one day. And I could have missed some too.
Beautiful shot Ron!
Invasive organisms or released pets, whether they are plant, fish, mammal, bird, insect, pet, etc. are a real problem in this country and Canada. I agree with you, people who release these organisms into the environment have no conscience!
Thank you, Dick. It’s scary when you realize that folks like that probably apply their own brand of “ethics” to other portions of their lives too.
Good shot, Ron! I’m familiar with them from long ago aquarium days. As will all these things folks don’t think about the possible need to dispose of them in an appropriate way – of course, that also applies to dogs and cats they dump in the country thinking the farmers will take care of them. She’s a beautiful bird.
“that also applies to dogs and cats they dump in the country thinking the farmers will take care of them”
Judy, some of them don’t even “think” that far. All they care about is no longer having the responsibility themselves. They simply have no conscience.
Very interesting blog, Ron. We humans sure find ways to mess up Nature!! We have a terrible problem in Florida’s Everglades where people have released their “pet” pythons that have gotten too big and they are having a devastating effect on our native wildlife there!! This is a wonderful capture of the female Kingfisher too. She is one beautiful bird!!
Thanks, Jo Ann. She’s a looker, isn’t she?