Owner Log In
  • Photo
    • Commercial
      • Activities
      • Interiors
    • Editorial
      • Cultures
      • Landscapes
    • Wildlife
      • Birds
      • Mammals
      • Predators
      • Monochrome
      • Other
  • Safaris
  • Video
    • Films
    • Reel

James Gifford Photography

  • Prints
  • Bio
    • Ethos
    • Credits
  • Contact
  2. Photo
  3. Wildlife

Birds

Wildlife Images of Birds in Botswana and the rest of Africa
Read More
Special Delivery
7 / 32

Special Delivery

Lilac-breasted Roller, Savute, Botswana

BirdBotswanaChobe National ParkLilacbreasted RollerSavute

  • With a storm approaching, I was scanning the horizon for something to photograph against the foreboding sky, when I spotted a fish eagle perched on a dead camelthorn tree with a terrapin clasped in its talons. The amphibian was proving a tough nut to crack and, to complicate matters, swirling gusts of wind were buffeting the exposed bird, practically toppling her from her perch. I had to balance my shutter speed selection in order to achieve both a sharp subject but also allow some movement to portray the swirling winds. When a sudden gust forced the raptor to raise a wing I knew I had the opportunity I was waiting for. Soon afterwards, she lost her grip and the terrapin tumbled to the ground, uneaten.
  • Scavengers
  • Swarm
  • Aerial Queuing
  • Lightning Reactions
  • Plucking the Bird
  • Special Delivery
  • One of the Flock
  • Fish Out of Water
  • Flying Impressions
  • Carmine Art
  • Fishing Angel
  • Breeding Squabble
  • Red Arrows
  • Carmine Train
  • Surprise Attack
  • Slippery Mouthful
  • Incoming
  • No Comments
  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2020 SmugMug, Inc.