Photographer Captures Amazing Shot of a Bird That Caught a Shark That Caught a Fish

Osprey Bird Photography by Doc Jon

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On April 12, Florida-based photographer Doc Jon was walking along Madera Beach when he caught sight of an osprey about 400 or 500 feet above him. Always armed with his Canon 6DA camera, Jon snapped a picture of the bird with what he thought was a fish—nothing out of the ordinary. It was only after he got home and opened the picture in his computer that Jon discovered that he had actually captured a once-in-a-lifetime shot. The sea hawk was carrying a small shark in its grasp, and that shark had a fish in its mouth. In one incredible, right-place-right-time image, Jon shows the food chain in action.

Like any photographer getting an amazing shot, Jon shared his bird photography on Facebook. “The best photo I have ever taken! (By content, not quality),” he wrote. After posting the album, Jon’s handiwork started to go viral. “People online say that can't be a shark they're so much bigger,” he told My Modern Met. “Clearly, it's a baby shark. Also, a few people saying it's Photoshopped, to which I reply I would have to have Pixar's animation budget and skills.” He snapped pictures at multiple angles that provides an even better look at the three creatures.

While Jon’s photo is certainly serendipitous, it’s the result of steadfast dedication. “Luck was involved for sure, but luck is when preparation meets opportunity,” Jon explained. “I always shoot. Every day. Thousands of pictures a week! My camera is a third arm and it’s always with me.”

Florida-based photographer Doc Jon captured a once-in-a-lifetime shot of an osprey bird.

Osprey Bird Photography by Doc Jon

Photographed from 400 or 500 feet away, he initially thought it was the bird carrying a fish.

Osprey Bird Photography by Doc Jon

It was only after he got home did he realize the bird was carrying a small shark that was carrying a fish.

Osprey Bird Photography by Doc Jon

Osprey Carrying a Shark Carrying a Fish by Doc Jon

Osprey Carrying a Shark Carrying a Fish by Doc Jon

Doc Jon: Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Doc Jon. 

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Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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