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Posted by trisha on 11:21:02 10/18/12
In Reply to: Green Cay Display posted by Paul-the-other
I too saw exactly that chain of events last year. One second the RSH was a top a snag and then suddenly flying like a missile as it hit a Moorhen not more than about 10 ft away from me as I walked the boardwalk.
It did exactly as you described and the hawk also had the problem of being so close to me and a growing crowd of walkers.....constantly watching us. The way it finally freed itself to eat the Moorhen (eyes, head first) was by continually plucking feathers and flesh from the area where the talons had it secured and very slowly pulling the Moorhen out of the water. Often its head was completely under water....which surprised me. Eventually it used its wings to help get the dead weight of the Moorhen on top of the grasses for the meal.
I was taking pictures for the duration and have a long series of shots. Many walkers were disgusted and upset over the whole scene. I'm not a fan of blood and gore...but it was just too amazing to pass up....
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