The Bee-eater and the Starling

[Stu Bowie]

I was set up for the Bee-eater take off, when this Starling perched below. As I was looking through my viewfinder, I didnt see the Starling arrive. I wished for a slightly better IQ on the Bee-eater, but as they are extremely fast, I will take this until I get a better one. Taken early morning in the Pilanesberg National Park, a few weeks ago.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/1600
F/7.1
ISO 500

Exp comp 0
Hand held

[dankearl]

Pretty cool behavior photo, Stuart.
Both sharp and nice BG.

[Steve Bein]

pretty nice. I would take it also without complaint.

[Jonathan Ashton]

I think I would take that one too! Excellent capture, I have slight reservation over the primaries on the bee eater's right wing - possibly over sharpened a bit?

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks for the comments guys.

[Doug Brown]

Great timing. Love the color, light, and the fact that you can see both of the Starling's eyes so well. There's a bit of a halo at the feather tips of the bird's right wing.

[Gerald Kelberg]

Amazing color on the eyes of the starling - really shocking from that black head! Almost overwhelms the presence of the Bee-eater!

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

My thoughts exactly. Keep it with hope and knowing you, you will get a better shot. I stiill like the behavior and those killer red eyes of the starling

[Frank Schauf]

Very nice flight pose and colours.

[Jim Crosswell]

Great image Stuart! I like the eyes of the Starling, colourful Bee-eater, composition and BG.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for all the feedback. Always appreciated.

[Karl Egressy]

I would take this picture any time, Stuart.
The great thing about this picture is that the bird taking off and the bird arriving on the perch tells a story.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks for your kind words Karl.