Freshwater predators

The top freshwater predators, pike are normally very shy and hiding away, partly in order to surprise their prey. It is rare to see them just quietly soaking up...
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The top freshwater predators, pike are normally very shy and hiding away, partly in order to surprise their prey. It is rare to see them just quietly soaking up a bit of afternoon sun in such shallow water.
I have certainly never seen one this big just sitting there in open water, along with a much smaller juvenile.
Any angler would be pretty pleased to have this fellow on the end of the line, and would certainly be in for quite a fight!
With a bit of care, I managed to get a couple of shots without disturbing them.

Editing note for interest: I was pleased how clear the fish became with a bit of adjustment as the water was quite cloudy and so initially they could not be seen anything like as clearly (which could well be why the fish were quite happy just sitting there) - primarily with a combination of contrast, clarity and dehazing.

(Uploaded on the day it was taken)
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