ML504406931

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

The incredible Hot Limpkin Summer event sweeping the nation has extended well into the fall, producing New York’s long-awaited first state record. This individual was initially detected last week by local fisherman Frank Campbell, subsequently brought to the attention of Willie D’Anna and relocated yesterday. Was found this morning a bit south of the previously reported location near the harbormaster’s house, closer to docks downslope from the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours building. Foraging actively, alternately strutting about on the open lawn and skulking around in dense vegetation. Captured and dispatched terrestrial snails at an impressive rate, hammering them open and expertly extracting the meat with precise twists and vigorous shakes of its face utensil. Even when the bird was obscured by foliage, we could track its movements thanks to the distinct tapping sounds of bill against shell as it feasted on its prey. Showed little concern for assembled onlookers, though it perked up into an alert posture in response to loud noises and once made a short fluttering sprint to move away from some passing dogs. Watching this gangly, southern swamp-dweller blithely devouring escargot a stone’s throw from the Canadian border was a truly surreal scene

Technical information

Model

NIKON D7500

ISO

1600

Focal length

320 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/400 sec

Dimensions

4215 pixels x 3661 pixels

Original file size

4.64 MB