This great blue heron was photographed seconds after catching a pinfish in the shallow waters at the edge of the intercoastal waterway of Sand Key, at Indian Shores, Florida. The image was captured a split second after it lifted off on a short flight to the shore, where it could become better acquainted with its catch. You can see the drops of water falling from the bird's legs as they clear the water's surface. More remarkable, however, is the sequence of water drops squirting from the fish's mouth, as the bird assures that it has a sufficient hold on its prey. The whole affair, though probably lasting less than five seconds, took place with a remarkably graceful precision, which I believe is captured in this image. [Edition of 250]