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BigAl
Sep-13-2007, 02:32 AM
In Africa, most people only want to stop off and watch the big cats. My wife and I like watching other hunters as well. We found this Saddlebilled Stork trying to catch fish in this pond which was busy drying up.

http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/170070278-L.jpg


He eventually caught a smallish barbel (a type of catfish), but couldn't swallow it (the feelers of the barbel make it difficult), so he took it out the water and bashed it around a bit.
http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/170070280-L.jpg


Unfortunately for the stork, a young Fish Eagle must have been observing this from a nearby tree. The eagle swooped down and after several attempts managed to pinch the fish from the stork.
http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/170070281-L.jpg


[Pics not too wonderful as they were taken handheld (under poor light) with me leaning across the missus]
dbaker1221
Sep-13-2007, 04:15 AM
cool story & shots Al.

I get real shaky & find it hard to concentrate when leaning on my wife too. maybe I should try your ...."let me shoot a photo on your side of the car" to rub on my honey too:D
BigAl
Sep-14-2007, 08:46 PM
cool story & shots Al.
Thanks Dave!

I get real shaky & find it hard to concentrate when leaning on my wife too. maybe I should try your ...."let me shoot a photo on your side of the car" to rub on my honey too:D
:rofl
Maestro
Sep-15-2007, 07:53 PM
Now this is just cool. The only shot I have of this one is at the local zoo. What is even more interesting is the fact that you caught the eagle in one of the shots too eyeing the prey of the saddlebill.
Ric Grupe
Sep-16-2007, 06:31 AM
Come on, Al...you're makin' these creatures up! :rofl

Very nice...thanks. :D
BigAl
Sep-17-2007, 09:27 PM
Now this is just cool. The only shot I have of this one is at the local zoo. What is even more interesting is the fact that you caught the eagle in one of the shots too eyeing the prey of the saddlebill.Thanks for commenting Stephen! I wish I could have caught the eagle actually having a go at the stork. I was too slow on that :cry
BigAl
Sep-18-2007, 07:24 PM
Come on, Al...you're makin' these creatures up! :rofl

Very nice...thanks. :DThanks Ric! They are real, you need to come and see them :wink
Shasoc
Sep-18-2007, 08:21 PM
Very nice behavioral captures of a bird I've never seen in real life, Al. And the Eagle is a bonus. :thumb
Harryb
Sep-19-2007, 09:23 AM
Nice sequence Al of birds we don't get to see here in the US. :thumb
raptorcaptor
Sep-19-2007, 01:42 PM
Nice photo story Big Al! :thumb
BigAl
Sep-19-2007, 11:20 PM
Very nice behavioral captures of a bird I've never seen in real life, Al. And the Eagle is a bonus. :thumbThanks for looking and commenting!
riddim_maker
Sep-20-2007, 12:46 AM
Must've been a site to see such action.
Unusual looking bird
Thanks for charing Al
BigAl
Sep-20-2007, 08:16 PM
Nice sequence Al of birds we don't get to see here in the US. :thumbThanks Mr B! You need to come and visit - don't have Coronas, but my own brew is drinkable :slurp!
BigAl
Sep-20-2007, 08:19 PM
Nice photo story Big Al! :thumbThanks Glenn!
BigAl
Sep-21-2007, 07:12 PM
Must've been a site to see such action.
Unusual looking bird
Thanks for charing AlThanks Russ! It was good to see the action, especially as we didn't expect the Fish Eagle.