Goshawk attack

[Chris van Rooyen]

I was fortunate to capture this interaction on my recent trip to the Kgalagadi. The immature Gabar Goshawk tried to grab the Namaqua Sandgrouse at a waterhole, but the grouse got away:)

Camera Model: NIKON D3S
Date/Time: 2010:05:31 09:20:17
Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: 8
Exposure mode: Manual
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 1000
Lens: 500mm
Focal length: 700mm

[Jan Wegener]

stunning scene. simply stunning :) You captured the perfect moment

[jfranciskay]

Fine shot Chris, just stunning! Perfect crop, sharpness, BG. Great timing!

[Stephen Earle]

Wow Chris. I'm speechless. The action here is terrific. Thanks for sharing.

[Craig Brelsford]

Excellent work, pure excitement! How did you manage it? How did you know that the goshawk was going to strike?

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks guys! Craig the goshawk was perched next to the water, and was eyeing the sandgrouse. I anticipated the strike based on its general behaviour. It actually ran a few steps before taking off.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Amazing capture of this moment, I'm quite surprised that the grouse got away. Is this a young and maybe inexperienced goshawk?

[Rich Steel]

Perfect timing Chris with the moment cuaght at the peak of the action. I like the wing position with the eye just peaking over of the fleeing grouse as it gives a hint of the surprise of the sudden attack. the tone of background, predator and prey all compliment each other very well. Congratulations on a stunning image.

Cheers

Rich

[Bill Dix]

Spectacular capture, Chris. Amazing position of the bird that close to the ground. Fantastic timing. Love that you got the grouse's eye showing.

[Fabs Forns]

You the king of flight, Chris, always a treat to see your images, especially such great action as this one.

[Ofer Levy]

This must be one of the best nature images I have seen in years. FANTASTIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek::eek::eek:

[Jim Fenton]

Perfect timing of the strike with the talons extended and that look back over the shoulder on the gross tells it all.

Exceptional image.

The 3s is rather clean at ISO 1000 :)

[arash_hazeghi]

Technical and aesthetic perfection have came together in this shot. Absolutely amazing

[Grace Scalzo]

Congrats, Chris. Super timing !!

[Michael Stern]

Peak of Action...perfect timing....
Excellent Image...actually amazing!!
Congrats,
Mike

[Harshad Barve]

You are King of action shots Chris , great action shot
TFS

[denise ippolito]

Chris, Beautiful action! Not much to add but the sharp details and BG add to the capture.

[Danny Laredo]

Stunning action Chris.

[Stu Bowie]

Well timed Chris, and great action captured. The sandgrouse was very lucky to have escaped this.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks for the comments guys, appreciated! Axel, I think inexperience did play a role here, although Gabar Goshawks generally prey on smaller birds. They are small raptors, only about 30cm in length.

[Gen Benjamin]

Wow I love this image, great action, wonderful detail. I love the debris adding to the action of the image. I feel my heart racing with anxiety for the grouse. Very well done
Gen

[Asif Khan]

Chris..this is a fantastic shot...really really great - everything about the image - action, crop, composition is really nice. Thanks for sharing. Cheers

[Juan Aragonés]

I missed this one! The action is fantastic and I love the fact that the sandgrouse´s eye is clearly visible :eek: