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The combatants
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The combatants

by John Tobias

Gallery: AvianPosted August 15, 20182,891 views7 comments
These two white backed vultures had been at each other for a few minutes when the one on the left managed to get in close, which soon ended the squabble.  Taken from the blind at Zimanga Nature Reserve, South Africa

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon ef-100-400mm F-4.5/5.6 L @ 170mm
1/800 @ F- 7.1 ISO 800
tripod

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Richard Sandor on August 16, 2018 at 10:08 AM
John: when viewed large, I was better able to appreciate the intensity of the struggle between the two birds. I like the detail and the action with a feather in the air. and one bird biting the other There's a picture within the picture in the LLC. Richard
Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 16, 2018 at 1:03 PM
Very cool action and excellent detail, John.  I think you were wise not to worry about getting the entirety of both birds in the frame as it would have made the critical action rather small whereas this puts it right in the spot it needs to be.  I also like the way the head of the background bird is in nice focus which hints at the rest of the mob scene.  Very well done.
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Allen Brooks on August 16, 2018 at 1:45 PM
Excellent detail and your shot, catching the action, certainly tells a story.
Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Minish on August 16, 2018 at 1:50 PM
Nice action capture, John!  I like that you got in close to show the action where it counts, in higher detail. The large version is particularly impressive as it puts you right there in the middle of the action.  The other vulture, feeding in the lower left corner is a nice little bonus also.
Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments
Comment posted by S Govindarajan on August 16, 2018 at 10:41 PM
Fine dynamic image, John. The close up and flying feathers enhance the action, and both the light and ground add a lot. The larger version is very sharp and deviljust fantastic.
Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments
Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on August 17, 2018 at 5:44 PM
A lot of energy very well captured.
Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments
Comment posted by Paula LeVay on August 17, 2018 at 9:34 PM
Talk about feathers flying in an action packed photo, you've captured some serious argument!   I especially love the action of the main aggressor as he bites into the chest of his opponent.  As if that's not enough drama, seeing a couple of other vultures dismantle a carcass just adds to the ferocity of the scene.  I would have loved to have been there! 
Registered on July 29, 2016, 66 Posts, 270 Comments