A fish escapes from an Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) after being caught in a pond north of the lake at Jacksonville's Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park.

Near Pioneer Drive, Jacksonville, Florida: 24 November 2012

part of the Thanksgiving 2012 album

When I first spotted this Anhinga anhinga just north of the main lake at Jacksonville's Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, it had just caught a fish. As the bird prepared to eat its catch, something happened and the fish successfully launched itself from the anhinga's bill with amazing speed and agility.

I pressed the shutter button repeatedly and captured three frames as the anhinga rapidly reacted by diving into the pond in pursuit.

From escape to pursuit, everything seen above took place inside of two seconds. The anhinga returned seventeen seconds later, apparently without the fish.

I have no idea what ultimately occurred below the water's surface, but I was left with the impression that the fish did not become a meal that afternoon.