The Hitchhiker

Gallery: AvianPosted August 1, 2013440 views18 comments

I have only ever seen this type of behaviour in the Savute Channel area of Botswana, but it is possible it occurs elsewhere. The Kori Bustard is quite large (the heaviest flying bird in the world) and certainly stirs up some insects as it moves along, the Carmine Bee-eater makes the most of this movable feast.
EOS 1D MkIV
500mm F4
F5.6
ISO 400
1/1000

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by John Jeevaratnam on August 1, 2013 at 6:40 AM

Nice capture Ken.

Registered on July 29, 2013, 112 Posts, 229 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on August 1, 2013 at 10:11 AM

Good catch of this behavior! Nice detail in both birds. I like the BG, to me it makes the birds stand out. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Butch Lama on August 1, 2013 at 10:49 AM

Very nice shot... Never seen this kind of behavior before. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on July 23, 2010, 42 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on August 1, 2013 at 11:01 AM

I'm experiencing a huge dose of envy. Great shot & great Nature story.

Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 1, 2013 at 11:03 AM

Wonderful behavior and a great shot, Ken. Well done.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on August 1, 2013 at 2:21 PM

Ken,
Outstanding capture of this unique behavior.
Well Done . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on August 1, 2013 at 9:27 PM

This is awesome Ken. Two great birds inter-acting in a single frame. Nice details visible in the large version.

Sweet Photo!!!

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on August 1, 2013 at 9:30 PM

Awesome large version and great moment, nice catch

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on August 2, 2013 at 1:05 AM

I've never seen another bird even come close to a bustard. This is great, Ken. The fact that it's a colorful bee-eater is a big bonus.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on August 2, 2013 at 2:04 AM

Thanks everybody for your appreciation, I will be back in the area in 10 days, lightning may strike twice

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Greg Oakley on August 2, 2013 at 4:20 AM

Brilliant capture Ken!

Cheers, Greg

Registered on June 12, 2012, 115 Posts, 266 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on August 2, 2013 at 3:41 PM

An outstanding image.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 2, 2013 at 9:42 PM

Exceptional capture - both birds tack-sharp, in good poses and nicely-blurred BG.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on August 4, 2013 at 12:21 AM

That's pretty incredible. Great capture, Ken.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on August 4, 2013 at 2:50 PM

Love this one Ken. Great interaction and well composed.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on August 4, 2013 at 7:01 PM

Nice one Ken

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on August 5, 2013 at 12:56 AM

Many thanks for the additional comments

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on August 24, 2013 at 3:12 AM

Ken that's great I would never expect that from a Bee-eater.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments