CRITTER NOTE--
A fishing Kingfisher
Just the other day, I caught the motion out of the corner of my eye as a Belted Kingfisher splashed below the pond’s surface then splashed back into flight with a bluegill in its beak—bigger than some fish we have teased son Brian about catching.
I remember Brian once getting a small, aquarium strainer as a gift "fishing net"; more than adequate for his fishing accomplishments the giver opined. But, that’s another story.
Meanwhile the kingfisher did an aerobatic zoom to a landing on a nearby log and repeatedly whacked his catch on the perch, reversing the fish’s position and his own violent arc until achieving permanent submission, then, it flipped the fish into a head-first, disappearing slide down its gullet. Poof, one less meal for the bass.
Quickly, the bird shivered then shivered again; no doubt energizing his digestive juices and savoring his ample meal. Quickly again, he chandelled back into the pond then seemed to bounce out of his splash and back to the log for a good preening—or maybe a celebration. Again. And again. Until, with a seeming smirk of satisfaction he flew out of sight.
A fishing Kingfisher
Just the other day, I caught the motion out of the corner of my eye as a Belted Kingfisher splashed below the pond’s surface then splashed back into flight with a bluegill in its beak—bigger than some fish we have teased son Brian about catching.
I remember Brian once getting a small, aquarium strainer as a gift "fishing net"; more than adequate for his fishing accomplishments the giver opined. But, that’s another story.
Meanwhile the kingfisher did an aerobatic zoom to a landing on a nearby log and repeatedly whacked his catch on the perch, reversing the fish’s position and his own violent arc until achieving permanent submission, then, it flipped the fish into a head-first, disappearing slide down its gullet. Poof, one less meal for the bass.
Quickly, the bird shivered then shivered again; no doubt energizing his digestive juices and savoring his ample meal. Quickly again, he chandelled back into the pond then seemed to bounce out of his splash and back to the log for a good preening—or maybe a celebration. Again. And again. Until, with a seeming smirk of satisfaction he flew out of sight.
Certainly makes one appreciate being higher up on the food chain.
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