Graceful Hunters

 

Just before sunset, as the sky turned golden, these egrets were in unison patiently hunting in Sarasota Bay.   Such a peaceful and unique scene...with the calm water and and the birds' graceful stances!  

Sunset Flight

With the orange-yellow hues of sunset reflecting on Sarasota Bay, an egret takes flight.

This is the same sunset from my last two posts.  There was a lot going on that evening!

Lunch on the Go

Talk about lunch on the go! I think, though, this actually is a thief in flight. Just before I took this shot, this egret was standing on the fishing pier on Sanibel which was quite busy with anglers catching lots of fish.  Next thing I knew, the bird suddenly had a large fish flailing in its beak --- then it took off.  (Looking rather guilty.)  That's when I got this shot.

I was pleasantly surprised when the thief...er, bird...landed relatively close.  Heck, that fish was so large, the egret probably couldn't carry it very far.  Anyway, it didn't stay here too long, which was okay because watching a seabird swallow a fish whole isn't for the faint of heart. **gulp**

The Claw

Just looking at this picture, I want to imitate this bird:    hand mid-air....forming into a menacing claw.   I spotted this great egret atop a roof near New Pass.  He was frozen in this position for quite some time.  I'm really not sure what he was doing, but he was fascinating to watch.

Mind the Signage

Slow speed.  Or no speed.  It's all good on a Sunday on Sarasota Bay.