Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Forums · UKNP

Life and Death

Discussion

27 replies
Posted by John Robinson on July 23, 2009 at 7:03 AM
Life and Death
Sparrow hawk with freshly caught Sand martin. This happened about 20 foot in front of the hide and I managed to get a few shots. Several people have seen these and they seem to go for this one with the hawk looking down at the still struggling martin. I don't know - it will be interesting to see the reaction. As i said before I am not usually soppy but I did feel a bit odd for a while.
D200 Sigma 50-500
Crop from horizontal
250th @f8 ISO500
Cheers
JohnR
Posted by Craig Jones on July 23, 2009 at 7:20 AM
Mother nature John, the look caught here is great and the detail is very good,this photo for me show's the food chain at it's best and also at it's cruelest, very nice work :wink: :wink: :wavey:
Posted by Paul Inglis on July 23, 2009 at 7:22 AM
Hi John,

Stunning image! Love the way you caught him looking down at his latest meal! The expression says it all! It's just so natural!
:wavey:
Posted by John Robinson on July 23, 2009 at 7:35 AM
Thanks .
Just come back in. Was going for another hide session and guess what !- it's raining !!
Your comments appreciated. Its nature alright but i bet it wouldn't sell for a calendar !! :biggrin:
Cheers
JohnR
Posted by Brett Lewis on July 23, 2009 at 7:44 AM
Superb natural history image John and tells a great story. Very well captured in all aspects and I'm sure we're all feeling quite envious of the results from your hard work. Nice one..

Brett :toast: :toast:
Posted by Chris O'Reilly on July 23, 2009 at 7:52 AM
Hi John

Great natural history image. The habitat adds to the story.
You'd have to pretty hard-hearted not to be effected by the sight of animal struggling to hold on to life. While sad, it is also a privilage to witness nature taking its course through natural selection.

Cheers,
Chris
Posted by jack chapman on July 23, 2009 at 8:29 AM
great image John, everything about this is just right
Posted by Des Ong on July 23, 2009 at 9:49 AM
Been following this with great interest John. The saga continues!

Des :toast:
Posted by Kim Connolly on July 23, 2009 at 9:52 AM
It's brilliant photography John, but it's not my style. Am too squeamish!!! :rolleyes:
Posted by PhilH on July 23, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Another great image superbly documenting the behaviour...

:toast: :wavey: :toast:
Posted by David Taylor on July 23, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Superb behavioural image. On a much smaller scale I've just posted an image of a fly and its meal. I watched the smaller fly struggle for a bit then it was still. I felt a twinge of regret but the larger fly has to eat and so does the sparrow hawk. Such is Nature in the Wild.

:toast: :toast: :jump:
Posted by Tim Taylor on July 23, 2009 at 11:41 AM
A super high impact shot John. When you spend as much time in hides as you do, you deserve to get great shots like this. Very well done.

Tim :toast: :toast:
Posted by Andy Shepherd on July 23, 2009 at 11:55 AM


Another fine image John, top work :toast:

Andy...
Posted by David Kjaer on July 23, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Hi John

W :eek: W love what appears to be eye contact between predator & prey although I hope for the Martin it is already dead!

David :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Mark Hamblin on July 23, 2009 at 1:00 PM
What an experience and a great shot too!
Posted by Ian Mason on July 23, 2009 at 1:23 PM
This shot has everything. Superb stuff again!
Posted by Fran French on July 23, 2009 at 1:28 PM
What appeals to me about this image is the apparent eye contact between the hawk and its prey, quite unusual, and a fascinating nh shot.

A great study John!!

Fran :toast: :wavey: :toast:
Posted by Dave Bartlett on July 23, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Excellent shot John - great behaviour and that eye says it all!
Posted by jeff acreman on July 23, 2009 at 2:32 PM
hi john,

great shot, you must be well chuffed, super, clear, sharp dramatic shot of as you state life or death

jeff acreman
Posted by eric weight on July 23, 2009 at 3:45 PM
These are great shots John, they just get better and better.
:toast: Eric
Posted by Paul Ashton on July 23, 2009 at 4:03 PM
The best so far John.

Part of the ecological system to which we all belong. It's what got us here and long may it continue.
Posted by John Robinson on July 23, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Thanks everyone.
Dave - affraid it was still alive- sorry .
John
Posted by Justin on July 23, 2009 at 4:14 PM
An amazing spectacle to witness from such close range and to capture it so well makes all the time and effort expended, so very worth while.
:toast: :toast:
Posted by Maggie Campbell on July 23, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Another great image in the ongoing saga. Am enjoying them very much. Glad you felt a bit soppy - just shows you are human but as said before it is nature. I don't know that I could have photographed it though - too soft :wink:
Posted by David Sewell on July 23, 2009 at 6:18 PM
All been said already.

WOW!!!

David

:toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Matt Cole on July 24, 2009 at 2:41 AM
another great shot John, this is an excellent series of shots.

Matt
Posted by Major Gilbert on July 24, 2009 at 4:09 AM
Another excellent image John. Isn't just great when it all comes together.
Not for the Sand Martins though. :toast:

Major
Posted by Bob Cox on July 24, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Its all been said already ,nothing to add, a great shot to get.

Bob.