American Bittern Eating Snake at DVinfo.net

Doug Bailey · February 2nd, 2012, 12:04 PM

Hi Everyone,
This is an American Bittern eating a Banded Watersnake. As soon as he had swallowed the snake he took a few sips of water and went straight back to hunting mode, catching a small fish. This caught me by surprise & I didn't get the shot because I thought he had enough food to last a week. Lesson learned.

One of the photographs near the end shows the snake biting the American Bittern on the face. Another photograph which we have not shown reveals a small wound on the bird's face. Banded Watersnakes are not venomous & we filmed another 3 of them in this area soaking up the sun.

American Bittern eating Snake

American Bittern Eating Snake - YouTube
Kind regards,
Doug.
BaileyNatureGallery

Bryce Comer · February 4th, 2012, 11:05 AM

Hi Doug,
Wow that was pretty special to see. You must have been excited about catching that. And to think that it then went on eating!! Veracious appetite!!

Doug Bailey · February 4th, 2012, 04:08 PM

Hi Bryce,
Yes, very exciting indeed! Many thanks for watching and your comments. Normally if you are lucky enough to see an American Bittern they are standing dead still, head pointing to the sky and looking like a log, perfectly disguised. We were very privileged, it's great to be able to share the experience.

Kind regards,
Doug.
BaileyNatureGallery

Roger Van Duyn · February 4th, 2012, 05:23 PM

Great shooting Doug!

Doug Bailey · February 5th, 2012, 03:43 PM

Hi Roger,
Thanks for your kind comment. As you know with nature it really is a matter of luck, just being there when the action is there. Another photog shot a pair of Bobcats lazing on the side of the marsh, a mother & kitten. We didn't see them, so we'll have to go back...sigh!

We did get some nice footage of a fat old Gator sunning himself near Lake O. on Wednesday. He seemed to be fast asleep, but looking at him on screen he was keeping a sleepy but beady eye on us. The water is not as cold as it normally is at this time of year, so we're seeing a lot less gators out of the water.
Kind regards,
Doug.
http://www.BaileyNatureGallery.com

February 2nd, 2012, 12:04 PM	#1
Doug Bailey Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 164	American Bittern Eating Snake Hi Everyone, This is an American Bittern eating a Banded Watersnake. As soon as he had swallowed the snake he took a few sips of water and went straight back to hunting mode, catching a small fish. This caught me by surprise & I didn't get the shot because I thought he had enough food to last a week. Lesson learned. One of the photographs near the end shows the snake biting the American Bittern on the face. Another photograph which we have not shown reveals a small wound on the bird's face. Banded Watersnakes are not venomous & we filmed another 3 of them in this area soaking up the sun. American Bittern eating Snake American Bittern Eating Snake - YouTube Kind regards, Doug. BaileyNatureGallery

February 4th, 2012, 11:05 AM	#2
Bryce Comer Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rossland, British Columbia Posts: 1,024	Re: American Bittern Eating Snake Hi Doug, Wow that was pretty special to see. You must have been excited about catching that. And to think that it then went on eating!! Veracious appetite!! __________________ There's never enough hours in the day!

February 4th, 2012, 04:08 PM	#3
Doug Bailey Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 164	Re: American Bittern Eating Snake Hi Bryce, Yes, very exciting indeed! Many thanks for watching and your comments. Normally if you are lucky enough to see an American Bittern they are standing dead still, head pointing to the sky and looking like a log, perfectly disguised. We were very privileged, it's great to be able to share the experience. Kind regards, Doug. BaileyNatureGallery

February 4th, 2012, 05:23 PM	#4
Roger Van Duyn Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lakeland Florida Posts: 692	Re: American Bittern Eating Snake Great shooting Doug! __________________ Roger My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAp...2AHr_pHFID5LDA

February 5th, 2012, 03:43 PM	#5
Doug Bailey Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 164	Re: American Bittern Eating Snake Hi Roger, Thanks for your kind comment. As you know with nature it really is a matter of luck, just being there when the action is there. Another photog shot a pair of Bobcats lazing on the side of the marsh, a mother & kitten. We didn't see them, so we'll have to go back...sigh! We did get some nice footage of a fat old Gator sunning himself near Lake O. on Wednesday. He seemed to be fast asleep, but looking at him on screen he was keeping a sleepy but beady eye on us. The water is not as cold as it normally is at this time of year, so we're seeing a lot less gators out of the water. Kind regards, Doug. http://www.BaileyNatureGallery.com Last edited by Doug Bailey; February 5th, 2012 at 04:15 PM.