The Final Kiss

**Kiran Poonacha** · 03-09-2011, 01:06 PM

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**Randy Stout** · 03-09-2011, 01:27 PM

Kiran:

Dramatic colors, great action, sharp and well exposed.
Agree about moving to the left, but not always possible in a rapidly changing situation.

Cheers

Randy

**Dan Busby** · 03-09-2011, 01:28 PM

Beautiful Kiran! That background is amazing and really sets the subject off. Very good technicals and nice composition. A more frontal view might have been more appealing but that would be getting picky! Very nicely done.

**Dave Leroy** · 03-09-2011, 02:36 PM

Lovely shot and great to capture the action.

I really like the dof, colours and inclusion of habitat.

The little peep adds a lot.

Dave

Nico Steenberg · 03-09-2011, 03:30 PM

What an incredible sighting :eek: IMG is razor sharp and well exposed. Like the perch and DOF. TFS !!!

**Jay Gould** · 03-09-2011, 04:40 PM

Excellent!!

**Tom Rambaut** · 03-09-2011, 04:43 PM

I realy like this image. I just like the action captured here. I snake eagle doing what it does best.

**Kaustubh Deshpande** · 03-09-2011, 05:22 PM

Terrific moment, beautiful BG and perfect shooting angle. Loved the details. great shot.

**Joe Senzatimore** · 03-09-2011, 06:11 PM

Detail is spectacular. Nice moment captured. You made the most of a great opportunity. BG is killer and sets it off nicely.

**Sid Garige** · 03-09-2011, 06:35 PM

Fantastic image Krian. Great timing.

**Sidharth Kodikal** · 03-09-2011, 06:48 PM

Spectacular image, Kiran. Splendid action, colors, details and setting.
Reminds me of another image of your - one of my favorite bird images ever - the one with the mating dragonflies in the bg.
Your images make me want to get to Bangalore in a hurry.

Art Kornienko · 03-09-2011, 07:41 PM

The colours sure make it pop and the technique is excellent indeed. Like you say a better angle would have put it over the top, but a beauty anyway, and rare to catch this type of action. Thanks for posting.

**Arthur Morris** · 03-09-2011, 08:40 PM

Ditto all of the positives above, esp. the sweet BKGR. My theory is to always go for the very best image. In this case, yes, that meant moving to your left even at the risk of coming up with nothing....

At this point has the bird bitten off the head already?

**Jim Crosswell** · 03-09-2011, 09:33 PM

Great action image Kiran! I like the sharpness, details and setting in this one!

**Robert Jensen** · 03-10-2011, 02:12 AM

While moving to the left may have improved the image, this particular angle still provides excellent view of the spectacular Eagle eye. Love the texture on the snake as well.

**Kiran Poonacha** · 03-10-2011, 05:06 AM

Originally Posted by Arthur Morris

Ditto all of the positives above, esp. the sweet BKGR. My theory is to always go for the very best image. In this case, yes, that meant moving to your left even at the risk of coming up with nothing....

At this point has the bird bitten off the head already?

Thanks Guru, Point well taken.

I am no saint, but I really try hard not the disturb the situation, I might have ended with a great picture or nothing at all by moving to the left, but the bird might have gone hungry.

But yes, If I need to present myself at this level, I need to make it at least close to perfect.

about the moment, Yes guru, its just after the bird had bitten the head and released it.

Regards,

Kiran

**Arthur Morris** · 03-10-2011, 05:19 AM

Thanks for getting back to me Kiran-bhai. It is a very fine line that you are attempting to draw. Were you in a vehicle when you first approached? Let me know and I will explain myself further.

**Kiran Poonacha** · 03-10-2011, 05:28 AM

I know I was getting into trouble by answering that Guru

, yes I was in my vehicle when it happened and decided to stay in it and not get down to approach. I was exactly 45.7 meters from the subject.

**Arthur Morris** · 03-10-2011, 06:22 AM

Hi Kiran, No trouble. I am just playing devil's advocate.

I fully understand your decision to stay in the vehicle. You said, " ... but I really try hard not the disturb the situation, I might have ended with a great picture or nothing at all by moving to the left, but the bird might have gone hungry."

I would argue that the greatest chance for disturbing the situation was when you first approached the bird with its prey..... As you drove into position, you had no idea whether the bird would fly away, possibly without its prey.... Once I had made the decision to risk doing that, I would have moved the vehicle a few meters for a better angle to the subject.... Once the bird has "accepted" you to some degree (by not flying away on your initial approach), the chances of it leaving if you move the vehicle are greatly reduced..... Thus I would have made the decision to try for the best possible image.

**Kiran Poonacha** · 03-10-2011, 06:43 AM

Taking a common approach to the situation, I completely agree with you guruji. you missed my "I am not a saint" part

. When I approached close I just kept the light angle in mind also I did not have have any right angle to choose as they kept shifting during the fight. From my pervious experiences with these birds, I knew I had to stay put as any angle change would leave me feeling guilty for messing up the hunt. They are really shy birds, I only took advantage as the birds concentration was on making the kill and I was lucky to be close enough to get there.

But you are correct Guru, I am only making excuses for a bad execution

.

**Arthur Morris** · 03-10-2011, 07:03 AM

First off, the image is very good, and I understand about the bird moving about constantly. But the facts remain that whenever we choose to approach a predator/prey situation we risk driving the predator away without its meal....

I read the "I am not a saint part," just chose not to quote that part.

BTW, in no way am I judging you, just trying to open some eyes and minds.

**Harshad Barve** · 03-10-2011, 09:59 AM

Terrific image for all reasons mentioned above , BTW excellent dialogue between you and Guru here, lot to learn
TFS

**James Salywoda** · 03-10-2011, 11:47 AM

Awesome Shot! Sure its not the best angle but it is some great action captured.

**Kiran Poonacha** · 03-10-2011, 12:30 PM

Thank you all my dear friends for your encourgement and support. Really appreciate it. BPN is my other home. I really love it here..

Big hugs to you guru..

Love all, Regards..

Kiran.

Kurt Bowman · 03-10-2011, 01:27 PM

Kiran, I like this image an awful lot. Great color, contrast, action, detail and I love the comp.

**Pieter de Waal** · 03-10-2011, 04:52 PM

Kiran a lot has been commented and learnt here TFS. I enjoy your images for the great light and IQ you manage to achieve. A dynamic image with great action captured.

**Dave McGowen** · 03-10-2011, 11:29 PM

Fantastic shot, I like everything about it. What a great privilidge to watch the action play out.

Dave

Ken Roberts · 03-11-2011, 01:21 AM

Absolutely Amazing! Don't we all live for those shots! Congratulations, fantastic capture!

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