Predator and Prey: Record shot

[Sabyasachi Patra]

The light was very poor as the time was 6.10 in the evening when we found this one in Bandipur. Initially I could not see the monitor lizard. Then I thought it was a snake as the head portion was hanging lower.

Canon EOS 1D Mark II, Canon EF 400mm f2.8 L IS USM, EF 2xII ie. at 800mm, ISO 400, f5.6, 1/50sec. Full frame image.

Look forward to your comments.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Kiran Ghadge]

This is something really amazing... one of the finest moment.
Awesome one.. you have done gr8 job with low light.
about composing, I think would have loved more inclusion of bottom portion than top. basically complete tail of lizard.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Kiran,
I had heard that at times they prey on small monitor lizards. But this was a big specimen. I am happy with the sharpness as I was supporting my lens on my camera bag. It flew away before I could set up my tripod. I would have loved some more depth of field, but there was no way I could have increased the aperture.

The tail of the lizard was not visible as it was hidden behind the lower branch. You can see a small portion of the branch at the bottom.

I don't mind if I miss a tiger or leopard sighting if I can see these kind of scenes.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Murugan Anantharaman]

brilliantly captured moment....you seem to have caught it half way during its meal..when it flew away did it take the remaining part of the carcass or just left it for others??

[Sabyasachi Patra]

It was feeding on a branch about four feet high near the road side. After a few minutes it flew away with the carcass and sat on a tree a few meteres away. Left the place fast so that it could eat undisturbed.

[Mital Patel]

to me this is the mind blowing frame. wildlife never gives always a perfect frames. and for me this is out of the world.

point one the moment it has along with dead lizard. looking back though sitting opposite side of you. and clarity of ants visible near the tallons and over the lizard.

just superb

[Rakesh Dhareshwar]

This is such a brilliant shot ! One of the great thrills of nature photography , to witness a predator on its kill. Dont know why you call it 'record' shot ?? I would trade all my good technical shots for such 'record' shots !!

[AB Apana]

This is more than a record shot. It's a great shot of predator and prey. TFS!

Apana

[Bibhav Behera]

Lovely shot... I guess the monitor had been dead for a while. The Blue Bottle Flies tell the story...

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

Lovely shot. Definitely more than a record shot. What bird is it? Short toed snake eagle?

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Abhishek,
This appears to be a Honey Buzzard but I am not sure. It had a long black crest on its head. The short toed snake eagle has a head that looks more like an owl and its legs are unfeathered. So I don't think this is a Short-toed snake eagle.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

Sabyasachi, please get this id confirmed. I'm confused even after using my bird book.