A channel cat I believe.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
This is an older photo of a male Western Grebe trying his best to swallow a young channel catfish at Bear River MBR. I’ve posted other photos of this bird in the past but this one is new to my blog. I like this particular photo because the long catfish is aligned so well with the bird’s open bill down its entire length which allows us to see some very good detail on the fish..
I watched for eight minutes as he tried to swallow the fish. I suspect the problem he was having was more related to the sharp defensive spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins of the catfish than it was to its size. When necessary those nasty spines can be ‘locked’ into an erect position, making the swallowing of the fish a risky proposition for most any predator.
A tight crop allows a better look at one of the four pairs of sensory barbels (whisker-like appendages) near the mouth of the channel catfish.
In an even tighter crop we can (barely) see the tips of the erect, venomous and extremely sharp spines on the dorsal fin. Jabs from those spines are incredibly painful and can cause some truly nasty wounds to fisherpersons when they become infected and fester.
Even after eight minutes I don’t know if he was eventually successful in his many attempts to swallow the fish. It could have gone either way.
Ron
Fun find and photo. I wonder if the bird got it down? I am late to the party. I had too much fun on my own exploring in the 1 degree weather up north.
It was damn cold up there this morning wasn’t it April.
I’m hopeful the nutritional value of that fish for the grebe outweighed the pain and suffering inflicted on him and his prey, if in fact he actually got it down. At this precise moment you’ve captured—especially in that tight crop—I have my doubts!
And having just caught yesterday’s post of your First Bird of 2021, the elegant eagle, I’m also hopeful you are right that 2022 may be a happier year than the two we’ve just struggled through. Cheers to that!
Chris, the first bird I photographed in 2022 that I’ll be keeping any photos of was….. also a Bald Eagle!
HOT DOG!! I may be checking in earlier than usual tomorrow, although my backyard birds will definitely resent the delay in putting out their feeders! 😉
If you had said there was a vertical wall of water behind the Grebe I would have believed you.
The array of colors, from the yellow on the catfish, the greens and browns reflected on the water, the rippled reflection, and of course the red eye, all combine for a beautiful mix. A lot going on in this photo.
Someone should teach the Grebe how to use tin snips.
There certainly are interesting colors and reflections back there. Thanks for mentioning them, Lyle.
Great photo. I’ve often wondered how any predator succeeds in swallowing any catfish. Those spines are brutal. Yet, I’ve watched Double-crested Cormorants manage to swallow catfish. When the fins fold down it’s easy to see how the fish goes down but with the fins locked in place it must be very uncomfortable but I’ve seen it happen.
“Very uncomfortable” at the very least, Dan. I would think it’s likely to cause injury, even serious injury.
On one occasion it looked like the fins folded against the body of the fish to make swallowing easier. One other time a cormorant struggled a long time but eventually swallowed the fish. I also would have thought that the fins would have caused injury but after swallowing the fish, the cormorant swam around the pond for several more minutes and acted as if nothing was any different. When I left it was still swimming and diving as if this was a perfectly normal event. I still find it quite amazing.
And so would I.
Yikes!!! The eye of the catfish says it all. Nice capture Ron and Happy New Year.
Thank you, Kathleen.
The eternal struggle between predator and prey. This is a fabulous shot, Ron! I’m hoping that the grebe was able to get some breakfast — even if it isn’t this little catfish.
I hope so too, Marty. He had some kids to take care of (his mate and at least one of the chicks weren’t far out of the frame).
OUCH. For both the concerned parties…
Exactly.
Great story and it sure look like the spine was up! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Sybill.
Those closeups are outstanding. Really gives you an understanding of what is happening here. I would not be surprised if eventually he had to let it go.
Years back here I watched and took about 50 shots of a Great Blue Heron trying to pick up and get down a giant catfish. I think I stayed for a half hour and it still had not done it. I left hoping for success for the heron, but definitely not betting on it.
” I would not be surprised if eventually he had to let it go.”
I wouldn’t be surprised either way, Everett. Birds can be quite stubborn and resourceful when it comes to finding and utilizing food.
Appears he has an innate knowledge of those spines or previous experience! 😉 Nice capture of both the grebe and catfish! 🙂
Maybe he has both, Judy. Thanks.
The look in both of their eyes…is this really going to happen!
I’ve always be jealous when you find a Kingfisher well yesterday I spent about 10 minutes (husband made me leave😆) with one. My first thought was, I can’t wait to tell Ron❗️
I’m glad I came to mind, Diana. Good for you!
Wow, complexities of life!
Happy New Year, Ron!
Mary
Thanks, Mary.
OOOOh, it hurts just to watch!
😜
Great shot. Hopefully this will be a lesson the grebe will learn from.
Thanks, Granny Pat.