The hunter, Striated Heron

Think I've done this kind of post before but just can't help it when I find a "master" at it's craft going about it's daily business right in front of me.
Striated Herons are usually very skittish birds so was quite a treat to find one right out in the open trying to get catch some minnows in a small tidal pool.

#1 On the prowl

DSC06083_1 by Johan Olsson, on Flickr

#2 Strike one!

DSC06118 by Johan Olsson, on Flickr

#3 A fair bit of silly walks involved when they move around.

DSC06123_1 by Johan Olsson, on Flickr

#4 Locked on!

DSC06124 by Johan Olsson, on Flickr

#5 Missed it by "that" much!

DSC06144 by Johan Olsson, on Flickr

Then all of a sudden it made the choice that my side of the tidal pool was the place to be.

#6 Running across.

DSC06157 by Johan Olsson, on Flickr

#7 Oh crap, Osprey overhead.

DSC06159 by Johan Olsson, on Flickr

#8 Closing up.

DSC06195 by Johan Olsson, on Flickr

#9 Some little fish is about to have a real bad day!

DSC06209 by Johan Olsson, on Flickr

#10 Strike

DSC06219 by Johan Olsson, on Flickr

#11 The catch

DSC06221 by Johan Olsson, on Flickr

TFL.

Some remarkable shots in this set, Johan, particularly the last few on your side of the pond that show the concentration and skill of the hunter.
TFS.