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Not for the squeamish.

Discussion

23 replies
Posted by John Robinson on July 26, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Not for the squeamish.
After a 4 hour session on Friday, nothing much had happened at the martin site.. I decided to get out the hide but having a last look out, noticed a young bird had fallen out and managed to crawl about 10 foot away from the bank face. I lined the camera up to take a picture and immediately the hawk appeared and had it. I didn't even have the time to zoom in so the 4 pics I grabbed were not much good. It flew out of shot and I took the camera off the tripod.As I did so, I noticed the hawk was plucking the martin on an old gate post I had put in about a month ago.This was the first time he hadn't taken the prey off. To my amazement I now could see he was eating it himself. I managed to get the camera back on the tripod again and started taking pics.I ended up with him plucking and eating the bird and then he flew onto the taller perch and preened for five minutes. After I had taken over 150 shots he left and I got out the hide. I checked the camera and the battery warning sign was flashing !
Just shows !!
Sorry its a bit gruesome.
Cheers
JohnR
D200 640 ISO
180th @f7
Posted by David Sewell on July 26, 2009 at 2:19 PM
It isn't gruesome, its just life... and death. It is also a very fine shot. This is turning into a really superb series.

David :toast:
Posted by Craig Churchill on July 26, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Cracking John,wish my SH would sit like this,best yet!


Craig
www.craigchurchill.co.uk :smile: :smile:
Posted by Craig Jones on July 26, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Another great shot of this beautiful bird, you are certainly getting your just rewards with this quarry John, very nice and well documented photos from there :wink: :wink: :wavey:
Posted by jeff acreman on July 26, 2009 at 2:25 PM
hi john
another great shot, graphic but very good.

jeff acreman
Posted by David Taylor on July 26, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Focus on the eye is spot on again. Superb image. I wish flies and their prey were as photogenic. :smile: :wink:

:toast: :toast: :jump:
Posted by John Robinson on July 26, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Thanks very much all. Appreciate the interest.
Heres one of the grabs when it pounced.Pity about the post in the way.
Cheers
JohnnR
Posted by Ian Butler on July 26, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Superb shot John.. Definately the best one yet. Adds impact with the feathers floating away into the distance. :toast:
Posted by Peter Woods on July 26, 2009 at 3:32 PM
John, superb image, well done :smile:
Posted by Paul Hobson on July 26, 2009 at 5:15 PM
very good indeed John, classic pose and great post,

Paul
Posted by Dave Bartlett on July 26, 2009 at 5:34 PM
The best yet I think. Keep 'em coming John.
Posted by David Kjaer on July 26, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Hi John

Cracking action images!

David :toast: :toast:
Posted by Bob Cox on July 26, 2009 at 6:11 PM
An amazing series …….so far, I look forward to seeing more.

Bob.
Posted by Sandra Hendrikse on July 27, 2009 at 2:28 AM
Great shot, John. Very well done :smile:
Posted by Scott Tilley on July 27, 2009 at 2:31 AM
Cracking shot John, I wish I could tempt these in!

Scott :toast:
Posted by Matt Cole on July 27, 2009 at 2:57 AM
another impressive shot John, you must be very pleased with this series so far. Great stuff.

Matt :toast:
Posted by jack chapman on July 27, 2009 at 9:53 AM
great image John, nice that the victim is still a recognisable shape too
Posted by Brett Lewis on July 27, 2009 at 2:02 PM
LOVING them John, keep them coming.. really quite inspiring so many thanks for taking the time to share..

Brett :toast: :wavey: :toast:
Posted by Helge Sorensen on July 27, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Top notch :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Fran French on July 27, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Another cracker from you John, I am really enjoying these!

Fran :toast:
Posted by John Robinson on July 27, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Thanks everyone. Didn't expect them to go down too well.
JohnR
Posted by Magnus Hird on July 27, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Brilliant John the way the feathers are floating off on the breeze adds to the story :smile:
Posted by Andy Shepherd on July 27, 2009 at 7:33 PM


Excellent piece of work John and a cracking series so far, top stuff.

Andy...
Posted by Lee Newman on July 28, 2009 at 3:56 PM
This is very special John, Superb details especially the eye. Good pose & showing their feeding behavior too. The plucked feathers drifting off into the background add somthing special to an already top class image :toast:

Lee