Cormorant's hard act to swallow
Thursday, February 7, 2008
With teeth like needles, the pike is normally a feared predator in the water world.
But this one appears to have bitten off more than he could chew when he came up against a hungry cormorant.
The two creatures grappled briefly but, in one swift movement, the bird extended and twisted its long neck and prepared for a fish supper.
The cormorant's elasticated throat and its powerful digestive juices allowed it to gobble the 1ft (30cm) pike down whole within seconds.
The battle was captured by amateur photographer Stewart Canham, 61, at Langford Lakes, in Steeple Langford, Wilsthire.
He said: 'The cormorant was desperately trying to get the pike into its mouth but it was struggling.
'Then the bird suddenly stretched out its neck and twisted it before swallowing the pike down in one. It was incredible I couldn't believe it.
'It was an amazing sight that was all over in the blink of an eye.'
Thursday, February 7, 2008
With teeth like needles, the pike is normally a feared predator in the water world.
But this one appears to have bitten off more than he could chew when he came up against a hungry cormorant.
The two creatures grappled briefly but, in one swift movement, the bird extended and twisted its long neck and prepared for a fish supper.
The cormorant's elasticated throat and its powerful digestive juices allowed it to gobble the 1ft (30cm) pike down whole within seconds.
The battle was captured by amateur photographer Stewart Canham, 61, at Langford Lakes, in Steeple Langford, Wilsthire.
He said: 'The cormorant was desperately trying to get the pike into its mouth but it was struggling.
'Then the bird suddenly stretched out its neck and twisted it before swallowing the pike down in one. It was incredible I couldn't believe it.
'It was an amazing sight that was all over in the blink of an eye.'
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