A couple of weeks ago Staci Cantu was visiting Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (feb 4th), and watched an epic scene. Below is swries of photos of the confrontation.
Blue herons were ice fishing for breakfast, and a bald eagle was cherry picking their catches. Because when you are king of the air, I guess you can just wait, watch and take that food.
The blue heron was fishing, just minding his own business and when it caught a fat fish for lunch, then this eagle swooped down, landed, and proceeded to chase the heron away from its meal. The heron got its back up for a minute and then decided it would be best to just let the eagle have the fish. That long neck is an easy target for the raptor. Seriously, I doubt messing with the king of the air would be bad idea.
The bald eagle swoops in to claim the catch.
I have seen blue herons battle each other over territory and fish, that can get vicious. I have never seen one go claw to claw with an eagle. I am sure the eagle would win, despite that big spear on the herons head. The eagle is built for that kind of confrontation and then some. In the series of pictures below you can tell the eagle isn’t even phased.
The series of pictures below show an epic scene of these birds’ confrontation of sorts over a catch.
Fish On!
Rich King
This Blue Heron was ice fishing at Bombay Hook NWR … Photo by Staci Cantu We watched it catch a fish .. photo by Staci Cantu This bald eagle flew in for a landing .. photo by Staci Cantu The blue heron was not pleased to see the bald eagle coming in for a landing … photo by Staci Cantu A conversation of sorts ensued .. photo by Staci Cantu The bald eagle starts to claim the fish … photo by Staci Cantu The bald eagle claims the fish with a quick grab of the claw … photo by Staci Cantu A second blue heron starts ice fishing near by .. photo by Staci Cantu The bald eagle proceeds with its claimed meal, looking intently at the blue heron … photo by Staci Cantu The blue heron heads back tot he fishing hole for another meal .. photo by Staci Cantu The bald eagle enjoying some sashimi on ice … photo by Staci Cantu The second blue heron catches another fish and eats it immediately .. photo by Staci Cantu The blue heron catches another fish and downs it in one gulp. Not leaving it on the ice this time … photo by Staci Cantu The bald eagle enjoying some sashimi on ice while the blue heron catches another fish… photo by Staci Cantu The bald eagle needs a drink of water and claims the ice hole .. photo by Staci Cantu The bald eagle gets a quick drink and the blue heron gives him the stink eye … photo by Staci Cantu an awkward moment of silent satisfaction and contemplation from the birds … photo by Staci Cantu