Great Egret Fishing filmed at 210 FPS

The morning of Sunday, December 26, 2010, had temperatures low enough for a skin of ice to be on low-shaded water, and frost on the Spillway Bridge. Although the sun came out, the air didn't get much above 45 degrees. The day was cold--at least by Brazos Bend State Park standards.
I was out on the trails anyway, looking for Eagles and Otters. I couldn't find either one. While I was at 40 Acre Lake, I noticed a Crow hovering near the surface of the water next to one of the islands. Then, I saw a Great Egret doing the same thing. It would hover close to the surface of the water, and sometimes stab down with its beak. Occasionally I thought I saw something splash under the surface.
I assumed that the Egret was harassing Pied-Billed Grebes if they surfaced with prey. I've seen this before, and figured that's what was going on. I decided to try to film this activity. First, I tried to follow a Grebes as they dove and surfaced--but it's difficult to see where they are going to surface.
So, I decided to watch and film the Egret instead. I shot a few high speed clips of the Egret taking off, hovering, and stabbing the water. After reviewing these, I couldn't tell if the Egret was stealing from a Grebe or not. I never noticed a Grebe surface from where the Egret grabbed a fish.
I edited together some of these clips, so I could watch this magnificent Great Egret hovering and flying in the early afternoon sun. I really enjoy the brief glimpses of the shadow of the head and neck projected through the wings. I hope you enjoy it as well.
With music used under license from Bjorn Lynne
Track: Koloss
License Type: Standard License
Composer: Bjorn A. Lynne (PRS)
Publisher: Lynne Publishing (PRS)

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Great Egret
• slow motion
• high-speed
• EX-FH20
• Brazos Bend State Park

[electroparth]

Great video & description . Thanks for share

[edelweissgirl]

Amazing video, just stunning!

Thank you for sharing, really enjoyed all the great footage you've captured at BBSP, esp. the alligator shots, very intriguing (just don't see them in the waters by us here.)

Looks like definitely a place worth making a visit to with all the wonderful wildlife there. 

Happy Greetings (from down south) in San Antonio