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Created 3-Apr-22
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On March 31, 2022 I observed a Bald Eagle kill a Great Blue Heron at the mouth of the Union river at Theler Wetlands. As frequently happens, the light was not good and the action was too far away for good results. The photos are large crops and heavily processed to try to get as much detail as possible.
I first saw the heron and eagle through the trees and began shooting. The action quickly moved to the water, with the heron landing in the water and completely submerging. The eagle quickly attacked it, and within two seconds the heron was either dead or completely incapacitated as it was motionless after photo 11. Photo 12 was taken 64 seconds after photo 7 and it seems clear the heron is dead.
The eagle began pulling the heron towards the shore and shallower water. A juvenile Bald Eagle attempts to steal the heron in photo 13. The adult doesn't protest, but makes a short flight, lands nearby calmly looking on. It calls, seemingly to its mate, which comes charging in and drives off the juvenile in photos 15,16, and 17. The two adults celebrate, and the second eagle takes the heron the remaining distance to shore and begins feeding. Elapsed time from photo 1 to photo 22 was about six and a half minutes.