Your best avian predator/prey photos

Building off my latest avian post of a Gyrfalcon flying away with a herring gull in its talons, I wanted to start a thread where everyone can post their favorite bird w/food shot as I find them absolutely fascinating. I haven't been too fortunate in seeing this behavior too often, but my latest experience was simply awesome.

This photo came from a very small window of time when I was in the right position at the right time. Some photogs had annoyed this gyrfalcon long enough and it picked up its kill and flew away, stopping directly in front of me (showing tis appreciation, no doubt). I got some frames, then the entourage picked up their lenses/tripods and started coming toward me. As soon as the falcon saw this it picked up and flew away for good.

- Luke

Here is one of my favorites Luke. This GBH won the local fishing tourney for the largest fish overall.

Ron, that's absolutely hilarious (and a really great photo). The GBH is showing off his catch with such pride! I have to ask though... it couldn't POSSIBLY have gotten this down its gullet... could it?

Luke, no it never ate it, but it sure tried. It just was not going to let such a catch get away without giving it the best effort it could.

Here is my contribution to the thread.........goshawk with prey, taken this past June in RMNP

Here's a shot of my Gopher eating Egret. He comes here on a regular basis to hunt. this was his second one in about five minutes.

Great stuff everyone - Let's not forget about the little guys

I've been fortunate to see quite a bit of 'action' in my days (especially Red Tailed Hawks). Possibly one of my favorites of bird with prey is this American Kestrel. Only once have I been able to get close enough to photograph one and come away with anything descent, and this time there was the extra treat of the prey

Beautiful photo Greg - I like the flying insects and the copious amounts of blood on the foot.

Great shot Luke, thanks for sharing. I might suggest cropping up slightly to get more of that incredible blue in the shot.

Short-eared Owl with vole. The light was very poor and this is the only one of the series that is sharp enough to post (and I did post this one a couple of years ago). Otherwise, I'd have photos of the vole being decapitated and swallowed. I like this because it illustrates the strong ecological relationship between SEOW and grassland voles, but I sure wish I had the series instead of just this one!

Great images cool thread. Thanks everyone for sharing. This one made me sad but It was a great image of Life as it is

My little backyard bluebirds are the best hunters I've seen. Here's mom with a mouth full for the babies.