Butcher Bird

[David Salem]

Known in many areas as "The Butcher Bird" this Logger head Shrike is impaling its prey on a thorn so that it can tear pieces off of the prey. They hunt insects, reptiles and even small mammals.

A friend, Glenn, and I saw this Shrike fly to this branch and impale this Beetle on a thorn and eat it in front of us. We were exited that we had captured such a cool behavior and we wanted to capitalize on the next time we saw it come back to its branch as it looked like its regular spot. We cleaned some leaves and branches out of the way and marked a spot on the dirt road where we would have the best vantage point for our next encounter.
Needless to say, we have been going by the same tree 2 times a week for almost two years and still never seen it again. Its the big joke with us as we drive past:)

As most of you have already figured out about nature photography, you better get the shot now, because when you come back tomorrow, they probably wont be there.

This is one of my favorite shots of 2012 because of the cool behavior captured and the fact that I even got it. Its a moderate crop from my 7D and at ISO800, but I think the IQ held up Ok?

7D---700mm---f5.6---ss1/1600---ISO800---HH from car@ 8:20am---40% crop

Thanks as always for looking and for your input. I appreciate it.

David

[gail bisson]

Terrific behavior captured.
You have great light and a nice clean BG as well. really like the ferns on the LHS.
The IQ is fine ( not much detail in the whites near the tail) but not your usual awesome IQ and I think that is due to the crop and not the camera.
I wouldn't mind a sliver more room on the bottom.
gail

[Don Railton]

Great story Dave, and a nice study of the 'butcher' at work... I agree with Gails critique, so no point in repeating that.

thanks for showing..

DON

[Stu Bowie]

Hi David, looking at your image, and looking at your title of 'Butcher bird' I said to myself that this looks like a shrike, and then I read your intro. This fellow is very similar to our Lesser grey shrike. I havent seen this behaviour before, so I feel this is a unique capture you have here. Overall well exposed on the colours on the shrike, and I can a version with a bit off the top. With this elongated pose, you could also go more pano.

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone for the comments.

I know the IQ isnt as good as it could be but I posted this more for the unique behavior. Glad you liked it.

[Carl Walker]

Hi David - Great capture of the behaviour here. Interesting to note that as a young boy most of these common shrikes were known to us as 'butcher' birds too due to the nature of behaviour depicted here. It was one of my fathers favourite birds. It looks very similar to one of our shrikes here. Great light and I think you did pretty well even with your crop. TFS

[John Robinson]

Certainly never seen a shot of one actually doing what they are supposed to !!
Great stuff- maybe a bit more canvas on the right if you have it would be nice. Great shot though.
Cheers
JR

[Holger Leyrer]

I think the scene is more importantly as the IQ (and the IQ is good ). In my eyes is this a great image.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Great job capturing this behavior, David and your persistence is inspiring.
I've only ever seen/photographed this on barbed wire fences - your perch is a million times better.
Nice bg and I like the touch of oof vegetation.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent behavior image and great description it, David.

[Shawn Zierman]

Excellent job capturing the behavior of the butcher bird, right on the light angle too, can't beat that... I like that you achieved some oof vegetation in the background, as it did a nice job adding visual interest.

[David Salem]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

[Satish Ranadive]

Fantastic behavior captured here, David. Beautiful image with nice parallel pose to perch and BG with OOF green leaves.

Regards,
Satish.

[David Salem]

Thanks for the comments everyone.