thejunglenook:

markscherz:

somersault1824:

These African waterbirds, the Black Herons, have an unique and dastardly predation tactic called canopy feeding. They hunch over and form their wings into a circular makeshift umbrella over the water. This blocks out the sunlight and creates a small area of darkness underneath. In addition to helping the bird see what’s going on in the murk, surrounding fish are lulled into a false sense of security by making them think that either night has fallen or the shady area is a safe refuge. It’s neither. When a gullible fish then proceeds to poke its head out from its hiding place to investigate, it’s curtains by way of a brutal beak stab.

via The Featured Creature

Pictures by Tony Faria and Steve Garvie

#naturephotography http://ift.tt/M7AKWd

Black heron? I’m pretty sure this is called a night-time day-time bird.

Black heron and black egret have been thrown out.
Egretta ardesiaca shall forever be known as the night-time-day-time bird.
Our resident taxonomist has confirmed it.
(Thanks BBC’s Walk On The Wild Side)