Often the heron (and other herons and egrets) work on subduing a bullfrog either by stabbing it with its dagger-like bill. If that doesn't kill at first, it will grab the frog and shake it repeatedly, sometimes against the ground or the water, before swallowing it. In this case, when it appeared that the bird just grabbed the bullfrog and swallowed it, the frog will quickly die of suffocation due to the lack of oxygen in the compressed, sealed digestive tract.
Great shots!
You definitely were in the right place at the right time to capture these terrific photos of nature in action!
Thanks Michele!!
Superb series. One of your best.
thank you Calvin
Dan,
How does the frog actually die? It seems to be alive as it is swallowed. Ugh.
Often the heron (and other herons and egrets) work on subduing a bullfrog either by stabbing it with its dagger-like bill. If that doesn't kill at first, it will grab the frog and shake it repeatedly, sometimes against the ground or the water, before swallowing it. In this case, when it appeared that the bird just grabbed the bullfrog and swallowed it, the frog will quickly die of suffocation due to the lack of oxygen in the compressed, sealed digestive tract.
Thanks, Dan.
Great sequence Dan,
That Bull Frog never had a chance!
No, and it probably didn't know what hit him.
Fascinating and great pix, as usual.
Thanks!
Patti
Thank you Patti
Awesome shots! Every trip to sweetwater we see one and are always told we just missed him eating breakfast!
Thanks. One day you'll see it, just keep on going there.
Great shots Dan!
thank you Darlene
These are really fabulous pictures though not my favorite theme.
Thanks!! LOL
Priceless!
Thanks Steve. No bobcat that morning but still a rewarding morning.