Breakfast of Champions

[James Shadle]

Peregrine Falcon breakfasting on a Ring Billed Gull.
Nikon D300 Nikon 600mm F4 AF-S
ISO 640
1/2000 ss @ F6.3
Started photographing this behavior at sunrise.

Tampa Bay, Florida, USA

I checked the EXIF data, I photographed this behavior for 1 hour and 5 minutes before the Falcon no longer felt like fending off all of the Black and Turkey Vultures who wanted the Gull.

[Ilija Dukovski]

Great crop! Just right. Excellent action.


Cheers,

[Lance Peters]

Stunning James - love the low angle and the action is to DIE for ;)

[Ramon M. Casares]

Stunning light, moment, pose, comp, colores and detail, it feels a very little bit overexposed, but it´s one terrific shot indeed! Congratulations!

[Dan Walker]

Nice low angle and I love the background. Are all of the OOF white "things" in the BG feathers? If so they really add to the story, and if not, you can always tell people they were feathers:) Sweet image.

[James Shadle]

Dan,
They are indeed feathers.
James

[Steve Maxson]

This was a great find, James, and it looks like you made the most of it. This is a wonderful behavior image, but it is also as good as it gets from a photographic and artistic standpoint.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Way to take advantage of a great opportunity presented to you!! Love the great low angle. This bird seems to be checking you out - very cool.

[Grady Weed]

Only from the mind of James. Hey buddy. Thanks for posting. Love the stare. It is saying, "You can't have any"!

[Marina Scarr]

The capture is riveting! It tells a great story in a simple way. Love the bonus feathers in the beak!

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Awesome capture. Really do not know how it could be any better James. Great action, low angle , superb eye contact and excellent lighting and detail. Love it.

[adrian dancy]

Superb behaviour shot.

[Phil Liew]

This is quite a capture. Everything just about picture perfect. However, with the way the raptor is crouched/hunched it may have a bigger impact if the top was cropped to just above the darker band of clouds.

[Blake Shadle]

Really nice image, Dad. I love the low perspective (totally ripping me off haha). Incredible eye contact and audience involvement. Well exposed and composed.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Amazing moment capture very well! Low perspective works like dream to add drama