Crab Legs on the Menu

December 22, 2014

Finally done with my Christmas shopping and putting up the Christmas tree... I am more than eager to go birding today. One of the local photographers, Maureen, has alerted me to all the birds that she observed on the Pole trail at Rios the other day so I'm hoping for lots of interesting bird subjects to observe and photograph today.

With the storm surf and the super high tide flooding most of the lagoon, it was almost unrecognizable. The only solid ground visible were the perimeter trails and the peninsula trail. I got a faraway shot of a lone Red-breasted Merganser that reminded me of my hair in the morning.

Walking over the small earth dam in front of the pumphouse, I spot a Sora on the west side.

There is a thick screen of reeds by the trail and only a few inches of clearance for me to get a shot. I manage one more quick shot as he swims for cover.

And there she is, the "Queen of Rios", the Northern Harrier. I'm sure she has spotted the Sora. All the background you see here is underwater, normally it is exposed pickleweed.

A handsome male Anna's Hummingbird lets me take a few shots before he escorts an intruder out of his territory.

Gives me a look as if to say I'm getting too close to him and need to stay out of his personal space.

I walk towards the end of the Pole Road to see what I can find and look who is leisurely swimming towards me... the Red-throated Loon!

He looked a bit sleepy and as soon as he passed me he veered into a protected area and started preening... soon his eyes were closed.

Heading towards home, I watched a beautiful Snowy Egret with full breeding plumage land on the banks by the railroad tracks.

  

I decided to sit for a while on a sandstone mound facing south of the salt flat berm. It's exactly the same place that I saw The Red-breasted Merganser a few weeks ago. I noticed a Red-breasted Merganser in the middle of the lagoon about 150 feet from me foraging for food. She was working and swimming west. Guessing if she keeps swimming in the same pattern and direction, she should be in front of me soon. I just need to stay still and patient... It took quite a while but sure enough, the Merganser came closer and and dove nearby. Looking through the camera and focusing as she got closer... I followed her next dive and was ready and snapping away when she popped up right in front!

She appears to accept my presence and swims calmly by. Soon, she goes back to diving for prey.

  

Got one! The Merganser surfaces with a fierce head toss... she has herself a nice sized crab. Holding on to one of the legs, she tosses her head violently causing the leg of the crab to pull off and she gets a tasty treat... crab legs for breakfast!

She lets the crab sink and retrieves it again holding on to one of its legs.

The Merganser pops a leg off as you can see in this photo. She appears to avoid the large pincers.

Now she is hunting the crab again but snorkeling instead of diving...

Pushing water.

Looks like she has a hold of another crab leg that she is working on pulling off.

Pop goes the leg and the crab goes flying.

  

LOL... I can't help but laugh at her expression as the crab comes down and lands on her forehead.

She quickly retrieves it and tries for another leg.

The water is clear enough that we can see her eyes underwater looking at the crab.

More snorkeling.

Working on another crab leg.

  

Few more tossing and a few more legs consumed. This has been a nice snack for the Red-breasted Merganser.

What a fantastic photo opportunity she has given me to observe her and her hunting behavior... close up and personal. 

The crab is not too happy and working hard to use his big claws on her lips.

Whoops, she is really shaking the crab... a motion much like a dog shaking off water after a bath.

Now the Merganser has the main claws. It looks like she will be eating the whole crab soon.

A repeat of the shaking motion and she is done eating.

She swims by quietly.

I get to see a beautiful dive right in front of me! This dive was more of straightening out for her feathers...

She gives me a look-over and slowly circles and heads east... What a sweet bird.

Wow, it is always so very special when a wild bird feels comfortable enough to swim and hunt directly in front of you. This has turned out to be another wonderful day of birding at Rios. It's time for me to head for home.

Wishing everyone Peace and Joy and a Beautiful Christmas Holiday.