We’ve featured a number of amazing nature scenes that play out on our website, but this might be the most dramatic yet.

Photographer Marcos Rodriguez witnessed and photographed a wild, 20-minute battle between a large heron and the snake that was going to be its meal.

In the dramatic images, we see the way the snake wrapped itself around its attacker. Captured in the Orlando Wetlands, this blue heron takes on a very defensive banded water snake, which refuses to give up easily.

The photographs are wild to witness, as this snake puts up an amazingly strong fight, completely wrapping itself around the heron’s beak, head, and neck.

See more of Rodriguez’ images on Instagram.

Images © Copyright Marcos Rodriguez. Used with permission.

Marcos Rodriguez on Instagram: "The End 🪽 vs 🐍 These pictures complete the series. In previous posts, some people asked about the fate of both the snake and the GBH and here it is captured in 4 pictures. In summary, There was some shakey shakey until the snake finally gave up and the GBH proceeded to eat. Witnessing this moment from beginning to end has been a highlight of my wildlife photography Journey. The pictures themselves connected me to so many amazing people, who have started to support me and my art. These moments are hard to replicate, because in their uniqueness lies the magic. However, magic can only be found by those who get out there to chase it, and that is what I'll continue doing ✨️ #gbh #greatblueheron #bandedwatersnake #orlandowetlandspark #predatorandprey #natgeoyourshotourhome #natgeoyourshot #NikonZ8 #nikon180600 #nikonusa #nikoncreator #nikoncreators #nuts_about_birds #your_best_birds #bb_of_ig #best_birds_of_ig #best_bird_photography #orlandowetlandspark #bestoftheglobebirds #natureismetal #eye_spy_birds #rawbirds"

645 likes, 39 comments - wild.tigre on April 27, 2025: "The End 🪽 vs 🐍 These pictures complete the series. In previous posts, some people asked about the fate of both the snake and the GBH and here it is captured in 4 pictures. In summary, There was some shakey shakey until the snake finally gave up and the GBH proceeded to eat. Witnessing this moment from beginning to end has been a highlight of my wildlife photography Journey. The pictures themselves connected me to so many amazing people, who have started to support me and my art. These moments are hard to replicate, because in their uniqueness lies the magic. However, magic can only be found by those who get out there to chase it, and that is what I'll continue doing ✨️ #gbh #greatblueheron #bandedwatersnake #orlandowetlandspark #predatorandprey #natgeoyourshotourhome #natgeoyourshot #NikonZ8 #nikon180600 #nikonusa #nikoncreator #nikoncreators #nuts_about_birds #your_best_birds #bb_of_ig #best_birds_of_ig #best_bird_photography #orlandowetlandspark #bestoftheglobebirds #natureismetal #eye_spy_birds #rawbirds".

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI-HAFgRX6a/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

How did this epic battle end? Rodriguez says that after a prolonged 20 minute struggle, the snake finally relents, and the heron makes it a well deserved meal.

“It happened by chance as I was making my way out, as I happened to notice from the corner of my eye the exact moment when the great blue heron snatched the banded water snake from the marsh”

-Marcos Rodriguez, via PetaPixel

Never never ceases to surprise and amaze us…

The heron finally overcomes the snake, and makes it its meal.

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