Thanks everyone for the nice replies. Adam this guy flew off way off in the distance so I assume he did. I told my wife when she looked at these in horror that he was just a lost duckling and the Heron was giving him a lift home. I don't think she was buying that.
Jim -
Great documentation of behavior shots. I knew that BCNHs snatch up little ducklings, but had never been present when it happened. One time, I was staking out a BCNH that was closely monitoring a Mallard family but he never got the chance due to the dilligent efforts of the mother.
Congratulations on a fine series. Shots #2 & 3 are the kind of shots we all strive for.
- Ken
It is sad but true. Most babies won't last too long without the protection of their parents, especially out in the wild wild world. Very nice capture. At least they still have 6 more ducklings in the family for now. Good job and beautiful shots, Jim.
Amazing photos, someone else posted a similar subject matter last month, I believe it was Alex, and it was extreme in every way, as yours is. Extremely displeasing in content (but that's nature), extremely well photographed, extremely exciting to view. I rarely download a photo for close inspection but I definitely did some downloading with this string. Thanks for sharing.
Great captures. Personally, I see nothing sad nor cruel about this behavior. Look at it this way, if this picture was taken in the US, the duck species is non-native and the BCNH is native. The photo appears to be taken in a park-like setting where ducks and geese are often pests. This is an example of natural behavior helping to alleviate an unnatural situation.
One of those right place right time kind of moments where you are darn glad you got your camera with you. Not sure they are wall hangers but fantastic for the collection
What a wonderful series of brilliantly taken images, everything about them is faultless, even though a bit sad, but thats mother nature for you. All winners in my eyes.
dkt20d wrote:
Nature can be so cruel, you captured it very nicely. #3 is killer!
This is an excellent photo the circle of life...one lives long enough to feed another.
How is this cruel? Animals don't kill for fun they kill to survive, if you can rationally explain the cruelty...I'd love to hear it. Someone has been watching too many Disney cartoons...Ironically, Disney used to produce some of the best wildlife documentaries of animals on the hunt, killing and eating its prey.
I guess a living thing that eats another living thing to survive is cruel...I hope you don't go hungry!
