Monday in Nature May 9, 2016

[Mary Doo]

<p>I regret not knowing Stephen Penland and his work before. I hereby dedicate this Great White Pelican image to him.</p>

<p>Weighing in at up to 33 lbs, the Great White Pelican is one of the heaviest airborne birds in the world. Although they live amongst the hundreds and thousands of pink flamingos that thrive on the algae supply at Lake Nukuru of Kenya, their food source is fish - naturally.</p><div></div>

[bing_huey1]

<p>My condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Penland. His portfolio here shows he was a talented and prolific photographer.<br>

Here is a detail of a Franciscan paintbrush.</p><div></div>

[ShunCheung]

<p>Laura, thanks for passing on the sad new about Stephen Penland. I wasn't familiar with him, but he did post quite a few times to this forum, although only once to Monday in Nature and without an image in that occasion.</p>

[DawsonPointers]

<p>At the feeder</p><div></div>

[sgust]

<p>Shun, it's a goby of some sort. They have some pretty sharp spines on their dorsal and pectoral fins. maybe the heron didn't feel like dealing with them after all.</p>

 

[ShunCheung]

<p>My knowledge about fishes is quite limited. However, I have received comments on other forums that he fish the blue heron caught is a baby cabezon (<em >Scorpaenichthys marmoratus</em>):<br>

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animal-guide/fishes/cabezon<br>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabezon_(fish)</p>

[paul_de_ley]

<p>California Lilac for Stephen</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

[Edwin Barkdoll]

<p>The linked shot of the heron spearing the cabezon clearly demonstrates why, if you ever handle a live heron, follow these paramount rules first:<br>

1 - Protect your eyes with goggles or similar<br>

2 - control their head.<br>

Think of your eyes as that fish! </p>

[sgust]

<p>Shun I agree, looks like the fish you mentioned.</p>

[roman_p]

<p>Unfortunately I haven’t known Stephen Penland and his works before. I visited his site now and found a lot of wonderful pictures. He seemed like a great artist and adventurer. Sorry to see him go.<br>

Today I have a colorful sunset over Lake George, Adirondacks, NY.</p><div></div>

[Andrew Gosden]

<p>Great shots this week. <br>

Lily of the valley<br>

<img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/Flowers-2016/i-v5HSKWC/0/700x700/20160504-IMG_9574-700x700.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<strong>Canon XSi, 50mm 1.8 plus 20mm extension tube, off-camera flash</strong></p>

[User_6502147]

<p>Kinda late...was on Vashon Island all day....wrestling with my new lens and herons:>).</p>

<p>Les</p><div></div>

[jordan2240]

<p>This 'Green Heron' was on it's way to grab some lunch, which he/she successfully did.</p>

<p>Didn't know the gentleman who died, but a 'voice of reason' is always a welcome addition to any internet forum.</p><div></div>

[Matthew Currie]

<p>the look on that green heron's face makes me very glad I'm not a little fish!</p>

[jordan2240]

<p>Like this one, Matthew:<br>