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Failure To Launch

© Heather Loewenhardt

Failure To Launch

Uploaded: January 21, 2012 20:51:25

Description

This Black Crowned Night Heron visits the Koi pond every day looking for a free meal.
Yesterday he got the catch of the day which was more than he bargained for.
He could not get it down his gullet so he attempted to fly to the top of the garden shed but crashed half way up due to the weight of his prey.
He settled for landing on another rock while he contemplated his dilemma. He eventually let the fish go which swam merrily on its way.

Exif: F Number: 8, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/400 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 160, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 203.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 7D

Comments

Heather Loewenhardt level-classic January 21, 2012

Thank you to my good friend Carolyn McIntosh for her inspiration for the title of this image from our conversation yesterday. #1438172

Sherran Andersen level-classic January 21, 2012

Wonderful clarity Heather. #9934603

Karen Kessler January 21, 2012

Terrific detail, lighting, color & overall capture! I enjoyed reading the story, too! :) #9934616

Carolyn McIntosh January 21, 2012

Love it . .. killed myself laughing when I read the title . . .how appropriate for this . .. and what a magnificent photo. Well captured my good friend. #9934643

Barbara Waldoch January 22, 2012

Lucky Koi!
Excellent catch there, Heather! #9934700

Mike Clime January 22, 2012

Terrific capture and a great story to go with it, Heather! Just like us, when take more food than we can eat. #9934797

Tammy M. Anderson level-deluxe January 22, 2012

Excellent capture and story, Heather. #9934816

Carolyn M. Fletcher level-classic January 22, 2012

Looks more like Failure to LUNCH! LOL #9934858

Larry L. Redmon level-classic January 22, 2012

Nice, sharp capture, Heather! #9934872

Mary Dimitriw level-deluxe January 22, 2012

Amazing capture and detail Heather! Great story as well! #9934877

Gord MacEachern January 22, 2012

This is just so good Heather, the image is so detailed, perfect!!!
The story also is just amazing!
Hope we see this winner again!!
Thanks by the way! #9934881

Michelle Alton January 22, 2012

Amazing capture, and the STORY is captivating too! What a happy ending for the Koi. I hope he isn't deranged from the experience! The heron will have plenty to eat, and maybe learned a lesson about the lack of value in immediate gratification!

Carolyn's wit is really amazing today! #9934935

Liz blahh January 22, 2012

Awesome capture! #9934955

Jack Gaskin January 22, 2012

AWESOME CATCH & STORY
Gotta love those BIRDs with no sense of what they can swallow. Would have been the most expensive meal of his life

Jack #9935021

Robert R. Goodman January 22, 2012

Hi Heather,He is a better fisherman than I am.Beautiful capture my friend.Great color and detail!!! #9935040

Monnie Ryan January 22, 2012

Terrific capture, Heather - and what a great story! #9935062

Linda D. Lester level-classic January 22, 2012

This is amazing! Awesome detail!!! #9935063

Inge Linden January 22, 2012

Absolutely fantastic both story and picture!! #9935110

Tiia Vissak January 22, 2012

a cool shot & story! #9935249

David Phalen January 22, 2012

Excellent light, colors and details!!

LMAO at the title and your description. A clear example of biting off more than you can chew.:) #9935479

John Connolly January 22, 2012

Talk about the catch of the day! What a wonderful story and wildlife capture Heather, I think there is wisdom here for all of us! Never let your expectations exceed your ability! #9935522

Ellen Hodges January 22, 2012

Very WOW timing and capture, Heather!! Outstanding image, but can definitely see the predicament of the heron, and the fish!! #9935920

Terry Cervi level-deluxe January 22, 2012

Boy did that fish ever luck out, Heather! What a terrific capture too! Awesome work! #9935926

Jeffrey R. Bange January 22, 2012

Fantastic capture Heather, great composition, detail and color and I love your story that went with it. #9936234

Mary K. Robison January 23, 2012

Pride (and greed) goeth before a fall...I doubt he'd share this fish tale/tail with any of his buddies. And the fish couldn't be happier!
Superb capture and great story, Heather. #9936414

Marilyn Cornwell January 23, 2012

That would have been a very expensive meal for the koi owner! I wonder whose pond he's living in now!

Great image, Heather, a fabulous story! #9936497

Jeff Robinson level-deluxe January 23, 2012

What a great nature/wildlife capture!! #9937204

Claudia Kuhn level-classic January 23, 2012

Great narrative to go along with the picture Heather. That fish looks like quite the prize #9937695

Nancy L. Green level-classic January 23, 2012

Bit off more than he could chew did he!! That is quite a mouthful, WONDERFUL capture dear friend!! <>< #9937745

Tammy Espino January 23, 2012

Super capture and story! :) #9937773

Carol L. Fowler January 23, 2012

Eyes bigger than his stomach! LOL! #9937823

JO ANN CLEVELAND January 23, 2012

LOL! I have heard the saying bit of more than he could chew and it certainly fits this perfectly. Great timing and capture Heather!

jo ann c. #9937897

Patrick Rouzes level-classic January 23, 2012

Exceptional clarity, tones, textures, detail, colors, lighting, timing & image, Heather ! Putting my money on this one, my friend! Good luck! #9938070

Mitch Spence level-classic January 27, 2012

That's wonderful. What big eyes he had. He's looking a bit shell shocked at his audacity here. #9950632

Emile Abbott level-deluxe February 03, 2012

Now that is a tall fishing tale. Great timing and story Heather. #9962924

Nikki McDonald level-classic February 04, 2012

Great capture and wonderful story that really had me laughing as I visualized his plight -- and envied you the opportunity to witness and photograph it. Excellent detail and color, Heather. #9965525

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