Fishing Rights Fracas!

By Tommy Hakiel

In late August, photographer Tommy Hakiel anchored his boat in Champlin Creek in Islip, just off the eastern shore of the Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge. He was on the lookout for birds to photograph, but suddenly found himself in the midst of a battle for fishing rights. The fracas was between two female Belted Kingfishers. The collection below is his photo essay from the nearly 45-minute encounter ...

The "Mohawk" and stretched neck - clear signs she senses trouble.

Incoming! Her sense was right - an aggressive attack is launched.

The battle commences ...

For 45 minutes, it goes on ...

... and on.

Until a victor emerges ... and quickly gets back to fishing her section Champlin Creek!

Tommy Hakiel is a member of The Nature and Wildlife Photographers of Long Island (NWPLI)