Eric Gofreed
Well-Known Member
It’s Winged Wednesday, where feathers, flutters, and flight steal the show! Whether they’re zipping, swooping, sunbathing, or striking a sassy pose, we want to see your favorite winged wonders. Birds, bugs, bats, or butterflies—if it’s got wings, it’s fair game!
Last week, we went headfirst. This week’s theme: Feet-First and Fierce.
Not all divers lead with their beaks. Some birds plunge feet-first, talons outstretched like nature’s grappling hooks. Others dash across the surface like they’re skimming a hot griddle. Whether it’s raptors striking with surgical precision or waders sprinting on water, these birds let their legs do the talking.
My contribution:
I’m sharing five birds (seven photos) who make a splash—some by diving, one by dropping feet-first with talons out. From a puffin turned guided missile to an osprey grabbing breakfast, these birds show off their best launch or landing gear. Whether they dive, plunge, or sprint across the surface, they all bring style and precision to the water.
Osprey – The Splash and Grab Specialist
This is what “feet-first” looks like when you mean it. The osprey dives with talons out, strikes with precision, and emerges—rainbow trout secured—wings flared and eyes locked forward. Built-in fish hooks!
Anhinga – The Spear Goes Airborne
Anhingas usually hunt underwater, swimming with stealth and striking like a living harpoon. But now and then, one takes the plunge from above. Here, just an instant before impact, its dagger-like bill is aimed with surgical precision. The fish below has no idea what's coming.
Anhinga – The Soaked Sunbather
Unlike ducks, anhingas don’t have waterproof feathers. That makes it easier to sink and swim underwater without fighting buoyancy—but it comes at a price. After the hunt, they have to spread their wings and air-dry like soggy laundry on a limb. It's part predator, part solar panel.
Tufted Puffin – Clown Above, Torpedo Below
With that flamboyant headgear and solemn stare, the Tufted Puffin looks like it wandered in from a costume party. But beneath the surface, it's all business. Puffins don’t just dive—they fly underwater, using powerful wingbeats to chase fish with acrobatic precision.
Atlantic Puffin – Wings Out, Attitude On
Perched on guano-covered granite, whitened by years of occupancy, this Atlantic Puffin strikes a welcoming pose. With wings outstretched, he seems to say, “These get me airborne—but they’re even better underwater.” Also handy for fending off nosy photographers. Just sayin’.
Double-crested Cormorant – Runway Optional
You’re looking at liftoff, cormorant style. With wings stretched forward and feet slapping the water in a frantic hop-run, he’s not airborne yet—but don’t tell him that. It may not be graceful, but it works—like a feathered speedboat with big dreams. Underwater, it’s a different story. Cormorants are agile pursuit divers, using their strong legs and webbed feet to chase down fish with sudden twists and tight turns. If it wriggles, they’ll catch it.
Common Mergansers – Full Throttle
Three female mergansers, feet lifted and wings churning, sprint across the surface like they’ve got somewhere important to be—together. These sleek divers chase fish underwater with speed and precision, using long, serrated bills like built-in steak knives. When it’s time to go airborne, they don’t coast—they blast off.
Final Thought:
Whether it’s talons out, wings back, or a frantic splash-and-dash, these birds prove that grace is optional—but commitment is mandatory. Dive like no one’s watching, or like everyone’s watching and you want a fish and a round of applause.
Last week, we went headfirst. This week’s theme: Feet-First and Fierce.
Not all divers lead with their beaks. Some birds plunge feet-first, talons outstretched like nature’s grappling hooks. Others dash across the surface like they’re skimming a hot griddle. Whether it’s raptors striking with surgical precision or waders sprinting on water, these birds let their legs do the talking.
My contribution:
I’m sharing five birds (seven photos) who make a splash—some by diving, one by dropping feet-first with talons out. From a puffin turned guided missile to an osprey grabbing breakfast, these birds show off their best launch or landing gear. Whether they dive, plunge, or sprint across the surface, they all bring style and precision to the water.
Osprey – The Splash and Grab Specialist
This is what “feet-first” looks like when you mean it. The osprey dives with talons out, strikes with precision, and emerges—rainbow trout secured—wings flared and eyes locked forward. Built-in fish hooks!
Anhinga – The Spear Goes Airborne
Anhingas usually hunt underwater, swimming with stealth and striking like a living harpoon. But now and then, one takes the plunge from above. Here, just an instant before impact, its dagger-like bill is aimed with surgical precision. The fish below has no idea what's coming.
Anhinga – The Soaked Sunbather
Unlike ducks, anhingas don’t have waterproof feathers. That makes it easier to sink and swim underwater without fighting buoyancy—but it comes at a price. After the hunt, they have to spread their wings and air-dry like soggy laundry on a limb. It's part predator, part solar panel.
Tufted Puffin – Clown Above, Torpedo Below
With that flamboyant headgear and solemn stare, the Tufted Puffin looks like it wandered in from a costume party. But beneath the surface, it's all business. Puffins don’t just dive—they fly underwater, using powerful wingbeats to chase fish with acrobatic precision.
Atlantic Puffin – Wings Out, Attitude On
Perched on guano-covered granite, whitened by years of occupancy, this Atlantic Puffin strikes a welcoming pose. With wings outstretched, he seems to say, “These get me airborne—but they’re even better underwater.” Also handy for fending off nosy photographers. Just sayin’.
Double-crested Cormorant – Runway Optional
You’re looking at liftoff, cormorant style. With wings stretched forward and feet slapping the water in a frantic hop-run, he’s not airborne yet—but don’t tell him that. It may not be graceful, but it works—like a feathered speedboat with big dreams. Underwater, it’s a different story. Cormorants are agile pursuit divers, using their strong legs and webbed feet to chase down fish with sudden twists and tight turns. If it wriggles, they’ll catch it.
Common Mergansers – Full Throttle
Three female mergansers, feet lifted and wings churning, sprint across the surface like they’ve got somewhere important to be—together. These sleek divers chase fish underwater with speed and precision, using long, serrated bills like built-in steak knives. When it’s time to go airborne, they don’t coast—they blast off.
Final Thought:
Whether it’s talons out, wings back, or a frantic splash-and-dash, these birds prove that grace is optional—but commitment is mandatory. Dive like no one’s watching, or like everyone’s watching and you want a fish and a round of applause.
