Saturday, February 3, 2018

Raw Nature

I asked my husband what I should call this post and he said, “Lunch by the riverside.”

But I’ll tell you up front…..some of it’s NOT pretty!

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We were thrilled to see this River Otter on hike #6 at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon.

Someone else on the bridge saw this otter catch a fish and take it to the shallows. She sent her daughter to run over to me and then we both ran to one of the observation points.

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WHEW! It was incredible to see.

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The River Otter held the fish down on it’s tail to get big bites of it.

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Then it threw it’s head back to chomp on it.

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LOOK at those TEETH!

And the flesh of the fish was so pink that it looked like a salmon (which it couldn’t possibly be!)

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Hubby got the best photos and even took him swimming back into the water.

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It’s amazing how LONG they are!

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Very exciting!

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And of all things….in the same area….this Great Blue Heron had caught an eel and was eating it.

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YUCK!

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Don’t look too close at any of the photos if you have a weak stomach or if you are eating YOUR lunch!

I’ll leave you with something beautiful!

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Two Ibis ….eating their lunch! Surprised smile

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

35 comments:

Susie said...

Diane, I guess it's the food chain lunch break. Wow that was a great shot of the otter's teeth. I sure would not want him to bite me. The birds are beautiful. Your nature shots are great. Blessings for a fun weekend, xoxo, Susie

Anonymous said...

great shots and well, everything has to eat lol,, so don't worry,,,the one that disturbs me the most is the heron eel shot,, we watched the blue herons eat snakes on our shore and tat scarred me for life lol,, yuk!!!! Your photo reminded me of that lol,,

eileeninmd said...

Hello, the river otter is cute. I do not mind the eating photos. Neat capture of the heron with the eel. The Ibis are pretty. You saw some great sightings.
Wonderful photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend!

Sandy said...

It is hard to watch nature sometimes, but you got some great shots.

Lea said...

Wonderful photos of the otter!
Great Blue Herons are my favorite birds, and I love the Ibis photo, too!
Have a wonderful week-end!

Linda said...

Wow, what teeth on the river otter. Nature at its best.

Arlene G said...

As Hyacinth Bucket(Boo Kay) of Keeping Up Appearances would say, "They were enjoying a Riparian lunch". We have not seen our Blue Heron in a while. Maybe he will be back in the spring.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

chomp chomp

Great shots.

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful series of photos of nature's treasure ~ otter has to eat too!
Love your header too!

Happy Weekend to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Aw the food chain! Really great photos! I guess if someone were to watch us eat it wouldn't be pretty either!! Hugs!

Breathtaking said...

Hello Diane!:) Fantastic sighting and captures of all the creatures. I didn't mind seeing them eating their prey. I saw a River Otter this year too, but didn't get good shots. You did such a good job here!:)

Connie said...

I was looking at those teeth!
I won't want that little creature mad at me.

happyone said...

Wonderful captures of lunch time.

Vee said...

Well captured, Diane! Every living thing must eat so I am happy they found their morsel.

Red Rose Alley said...

That Otter likes fish just like us, but chomps on it fiercely haha. Wonderful pictures your husband took, Diane, and I love those white Ibis'.

~Sheri

Jeanie said...

Four star photos! I've seen Harry catch a fish and gobble it up but never an eel~! WOW! And those otter's teeth were scary. Guess you don't want one of those for a house pet!

Terri D said...

You got some great shots! Mother nature in action!

NanaDiana said...

I have seen birds eating eels (or snakes) before---so awful to watch them whipping around...ugh. However, I have never seen an otter eat a fish. I never thought of them as having big teeth like that. I always think of them as playful critters sliding down a bank for fun into the water. lol

Thanks for the pictures, Diane. I hope you and your hubby have a great day. xo Diana

Stacey said...

These are the best! Not the kind of thing I see everyday, for sure. :)

Inger said...

That otter's teeth were not only big, but so white. What great photos!

Victoria said...

Wow, great photos!

Tom said...

...but that's how nature works!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

What great photos - we saw two river otters when we were back in Wisconsin, they sat on a rock and played peek-a-boo over the top of it. Wonderful photos of the heron and Ibis too. Have a grand weekend my friend.

Linda said...

Neat photos! I'm not a fan of eels either.

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Interesting pics today, but guess we all have to eat. Your ibis pic is gorgeous. Thanks.

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Diane; I've never seen otter close to my area. Yes, I also think your photos are wonderful nature photos. And we both have helpful husband (♡^.^♡) After I heard someone find ibises next city, I wish I could see them one day. I can see Blue heron in my area♫♫♫

Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend, xoxo Miyako*

Phil Slade said...

Thanks for the warning Diane. But those pictures really didn't bother me as they were just animals doing what animals do. Great that you both managed to get such pictures. It's on occasions like that that when fingers turn to thumbs and I forget to check the camera settings before shooting away.

Hootin Anni said...

Diane..
Exceptional images of 'MOTHER NATURE' and survival skills. But, I think your 'eel' has legs...not sure...it'd be a salaamander.

Again, thanks so very much for sharing all of the feathered nature (and furry) with us birders at I'd Rather B Birdin' this weekend.

Jean said...

Great photos! Wow, the teeth on that river otter, definitely not a creature to mess around with, huh? Eel doesn't appeal to me but the Heron sure seems to be enjoying it. Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

Ela said...

Wow !! This is an amazing observation !! The nature is so beautiful but very brutal! A large animal eats a small one!
Happy new week :)

A Colorful World said...

Very interesting shots! You always think of otters as so cuddly and sweet, and yes, seeing those teeth is an eye-opener! Great that all three of your sightings included a lunch!

Angie said...

Fascinating - I want to know what that otter uses as his teeth whitener!

I don't particularly like eels because of the way they wrap around things - like it's wrapped around the heron's beak ... ugh!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Gosh -- you definitely were on that hike at lunch time!! I love all these pictures ... everything has to eat .... it's part of the natural order of things. But that eel is a little creepy I admit! I think I lost some readers once when I posted pictures of an alligator eating a turtle. But I liked seeing that too.

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Que bonitas fotografías de la naturaleza y su hábitat!!

NatureFootstep said...

well, nice or not this is what nature is. Great post :)