I have taken to riding around with my camera near at hand, and how happy I am that I did this the other day.
I saw this Grey Heron as I past the one dam its attitude told me it was either stalking something or had seen food…
I got this photo just before the strike and then struggled to actually see what it had caught.. a struggle was on the cards.. something of length that could not just be swallow.. I continued to take photos until I could make out what it was… a small grass snake..
This snake was not giving up without a fight…
and even managed to encircle the beak of the bird..
Down the hatch you go… eyes closed…
But with a lot of head shaking and swallowing the snake finally disappeared down its throat… I nearly gagged thinking about that length going down my throat, and then it struck me… the snake was not dead when it went down.. why would it not bite the bird from the inside ? and would it be painful if it did ?
The bird was now disturbed by my proximity and flew off to one of the other dams, closely followed by me…
An odd stance and attitude.. was this bird regretting the meal?.. well it never regurgitated anything, had a drink and settled down to what looked like a further search for food..
This has taught me one lesson… “keep the camera handy!”…
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
Herons are the “bad guys” at our home; any time one comes near the Koi pond we all shudder and shout so it will fly away!
Wow…great shots! Can I borrow your bird? seems we have a few snakes in the grass as these days have been dryer than usual and they are coming out in search of water.
Thanks Mrs P… how many do you want me to send you ?…
Two or three would be just fine! 😀
Oh that snake would have wriggled inside the heron for a long time! I can’t imagine what that would be like. These are fantastic shots – keep up the great work. Rob, and keep carrying that camera 😉
Thanks Dianne… yep it is captures lkke these that makes you realise you don’t see it everyday, even les capture it as a photo… so if you don’t want to miss out. .. carry the camera…
Wonderful photos. Love the snake photos. What fun it must be to ride around the golf course and see all of the fantastic wildlife.
Thanks … it is indeed a privilege. ..
At least you didn’t try to take the snake.
No way Frank… the bird seems to enjoy the meal…
Fantastic footage, wow. Yes keep the camera with you all the time!
Thanks Ute… at hand now all the time
Fascinating and a bit yucky all at the same time! Upsizing, are we? The early heron catches the snake …
Thanks Col… but
my oh my I’ve missed your story telling. Fantastic and great captures – really shows the whole process – thanks I think lol Stephen would be in total agreement – don’t go anywhere no matter what without your camera. Great to have you back xo
Thanks Jan… missed so much whilst busy building the course that my cameras are hungry to work…
good to hear they are hungry to work – don’t hold back 🙂
Nice set of images. Always a good idea to carry the camera with you…(Suzanne)
Thanks Suzanne… miss so much in my time that now they ride around with me
Ewwww! 😀 But great shots! 😀
Thanks… quite the show to witness
Great shots but I’m going to be thinking about this all day!
Thanks Anneli… I don’t allow my staff to kill snakes as they have a purpose, specially on the course where I have a field mouse problem… but the birds need to eat so I don’t complain… as long as they let me capture them with the camera now and again…
But I wonder if it could bite once inside the bird….
A good and fascinating thought that has had me thinking… does the bird know which can harm him ?
I suppose trial and error doesn’t do much good. No second chances.
PS Nice to see you back in the blogosphere
Thanks feels good to be back… missed you all..
Yes! Never leave home without your camera. That is an amazing sequence of photographs. Poor snake!
Thanks there is so much I miss,, but after this the cameras are always at hand