Nasty little cuss (not frog friendly)

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited November 24, 2006 in Wildlife
Hi y'all,

The fella in question is a songbird, the logger head shrike.
He's 8-9'' long. has wing span of 11-13", and weighs less than 2 ounces
111181905-L.jpg

He is a predator. and uses his hooked bill to grip flesh. The bill has a notch or "tooth" near the tip to sever the spinal chord of its victims.
111181876-O.jpg

111181892-O.jpg

111181894-O.jpg

after capturing its prey it will impale it on a thorn or barbed wire
111181885-L.jpg

This way the prey is held fast while the shrike rips it apart
111181899-L.jpg
Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
«1

Comments

  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited November 20, 2006
    I always appreciate fine eaters.
    Andy

    Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited November 20, 2006
    great set MR H thumb.gif but that last shot is killer headscratch.gif that maybe a pun or a compliment either way a dam good shot clap.gifclap.gif
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 20, 2006
    Andy wrote:
    I always appreciate fine eaters.

    kindred spirits
    26021855.jpg

    :jawdrop
    :lol4
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • ZanottiZanotti Registered Users Posts: 1,411 Major grins
    edited November 20, 2006
    Are they kindred spirit because he's a Nasty Cuss or because they rip their food apart and eat it quckly?

    rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif:D:D
    It is the purpose of life that each of us strives to become actually what he is potentially. We should be obsessed with stretching towards that goal through the world we inhabit.
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 20, 2006
    Zanotti wrote:
    Are they kindred spirit because he's a Nasty Cuss or because they rip their food apart and eat it quckly?

    rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif:D:D

    Andy's a sweet heart and a damn good guy just don't stand between him and the ribs or the steak or the pastrami or........... :lol
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • PhyxiusPhyxius Registered Users Posts: 1,396 Major grins
    edited November 20, 2006
    Wow, very nice!! clap.gifclap Well, not "NICE".

    So, you saw the bird on the wire. Then, it left and caught the frog and then came back to the same spot? Nice patience! And, it paid off.bowdown.gif
    Christina Dale
    SmugMug Support Specialist - www.help.smugmug.com

    http://www.phyxiusphotos.com
    Equine Photography in Maryland - Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited November 20, 2006
    An absolutely exceptional behavioral expose' of a facinating bird. The exposures are darn near perfect as well. Loved the write-up too. Really great work here, Harry. bowdown.gifbowbowdown.gif

    -joel
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
  • Dick on ArubaDick on Aruba Registered Users Posts: 3,484 Major grins
    edited November 20, 2006
    Beautiful series! BTW smart bird.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Dick.
    "Nothing sharpens sight like envy."
    Thomas Fuller.

    SmugMug account.
    Website.
  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited November 20, 2006
    Great series Harry! I don't think he's eating so much as he's decorating! rolleyes1.gif
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited November 20, 2006
    Awesome series. I sort of feel sorry for the poor frog. I mean, if I were the frog, I think I would prefer to be eaten and be done with it. eek7.gif
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited November 20, 2006
    Someone was telling me about how shrikes did the impail the victim thing a couple of weeks ago when I posted a northern shrike shot.

    Very cool to see the whole event captured.

    Nice going, Harry.

    I really dig this set, man.ylsuper.gif
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited November 20, 2006
    Harryb wrote:
    kindred spirits
    26021855.jpg

    :jawdrop
    :lol4

    rolleyes1.gifDoes he impail the sandwich on the straw too?rolleyes1.gif
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited November 20, 2006
    Shivers me timbers, but still a very cool shot. Thanks for the education, Harry.

    111181892-S.jpg
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2006
    jwear wrote:
    great set MR H thumb.gif but that last shot is killer headscratch.gif that maybe a pun or a compliment either way a dam good shot clap.gifclap.gif

    Thanks Jeff
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2006
    Phyxius wrote:
    Wow, very nice!! clap.gifclap Well, not "NICE".

    So, you saw the bird on the wire. Then, it left and caught the frog and then came back to the same spot? Nice patience! And, it paid off.bowdown.gif

    I knew about the shrike's hunting habits and when I saw hanging out on a barber wire fence I figured I would spend some time with it. Right after I set up he flew off and came right back with the frog. Thanks for your comments.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2006
    kdog wrote:
    An absolutely exceptional behavioral expose' of a facinating bird. The exposures are darn near perfect as well. Loved the write-up too. Really great work here, Harry. bowdown.gifbowbowdown.gif

    -joel

    Thank you very much Joel. Glad you enjoyed it.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2006
    Dick on Aruba wrote:
    Beautiful series! BTW smart bird.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Dick.

    Thanks Dick. It is amazing to see how wildlife adapts to and uses its environment.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2006
    clap.gif great photos and study :D
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited November 21, 2006
    how cool is that!-

    way to go, harry!-
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2006
    Fantastic series...really enjoyed it.
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2006
    Harryb wrote:
    Hi y'all,

    The fella in question is a songbird, the logger head shrike.
    He's 8-9'' long. has wing span of 11-13", and weighs less than 2 ounces
    He is a predator. and uses his hooked bill to grip flesh. The bill has a notch or "tooth" near the tip to sever the spinal chord of its victims.
    after capturing its prey it will impale it on a thorn or barbed wire
    This way the prey is held fast while the shrike rips it apart

    You sure that little frog is not just sitting on the wire next to the bird taking in the view Harry headscratch.gif he kinda looks like he likes it up there rolleyes1.gif

    Aint Nature just Grand clap.gif the Circle Of Life.....
    Great series of Photos Harry, I love your Bird Shots.... Skippy (Australia)
    .
    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2006
    raptorcaptor wrote:
    Great series Harry! I don't think he's eating so much as he's decorating! rolleyes1.gif

    Thanks Glenn. Ever since I took this series I have noticed a few crickets hung up on the barbed wire.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2006
    Maestro wrote:
    Awesome series. I sort of feel sorry for the poor frog. I mean, if I were the frog, I think I would prefer to be eaten and be done with it. eek7.gif

    Thanks for your comments. You have to feel for the frog, that's definitely not the way to go out.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 22, 2006
    Ric Grupe wrote:
    Someone was telling me about how shrikes did the impail the victim thing a couple of weeks ago when I posted a northern shrike shot.

    Very cool to see the whole event captured.

    Nice going, Harry.

    I really dig this set, man.ylsuper.gif

    Yeah, I remember that shot. Thanks, it was very interesting to view the behavior and a bit sobering.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 22, 2006
    Ric Grupe wrote:
    rolleyes1.gifDoes he impail the sandwich on the straw too?rolleyes1.gif

    only when it gets frisky. biggrinbounce2.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Bayer-Z28Bayer-Z28 Registered Users Posts: 392 Major grins
    edited November 22, 2006
    Carnevoirs, eh?... rolleyes1.gif

    Good series! Educating too.
    Auto enthusiast. I drive a 2000 Camaro Z28. LOADED w/ mods.

    Camera: Nikon D80, 18-55 f3.5 stocker & 18-200 Nikon VR.... with a small collection of filters..


    My Smugmug.. STILL Under construction.
    http://bayer-Z28.smugmug.com
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited November 22, 2006
    I knew there was a reason for Barbed Wire !! :wow

    Just more proof of how Man is always helping out rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif :lol4
    Benjamin
    My Galleries
    Flicker
    G+
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 22, 2006
    wxwax wrote:
    Shivers me timbers, but still a very cool shot. Thanks for the education, Harry.

    111181892-S.jpg

    You're welcome Sid. It was an eduacation for me to view the shrike at work.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 22, 2006
    Awais Yaqub wrote:
    clap.gif great photos and study :D

    Thank you Awais wave.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • traunerktraunerk Registered Users Posts: 513 Major grins
    edited November 22, 2006
    excellent shot...
    fabulous view of a creature's eating habits. Nice shots of the bird too.

    Regards...Keith
    Harryb wrote:
    kindred spirits
    26021855.jpg

    :jawdrop
    :lol4
    Beam me outta here!:winkKT
Sign In or Register to comment.