Talk about Staring Death in the face

This is where it started with the Kingbird attacking the Redtail hawk who was minding his own business on the power line. I'll add the others to this thread as I process them. I know the quality of this one is pretty poor, but it was very interesting to watch and the shots I got (even though not perfect) were much of the reason I went for the mark III. I just have to learn better how to use it.

KAC

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HAHA, great catch there Kenny. Bigger birds really have no real chance of catching a smaller bird that can fly and turn faster.

Interesting capture. Thanks for sharing.

What a shot Kenny and upside down as well!!!!

Great Timing!!!

Here's more of this series. FYI I was shooting this at bursts of 10 fps with AI-Servo on using the 100-400 at 400 with a 1.4 ex. Most of these are not museum quality to say the least. You'll see the tail below which is why I'm thinking this is a RedTail instead of a Swainsons.

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Thanks Cooper and Gary. I thought it was pretty funny with the Kingbird doing a mid-air flip like that.

KAC

hTr wrote in post #3392990
What a shot Kenny and upside down as well!!!!

Great Timing!!!

As far as timing, this dang mark III is FAST!

KAC
Now if I could just make sure it was in focus.

What's that on his tail? Looks like a Valentine.

canonloader wrote in post #3393059
What's that on his tail? Looks like a Valentine.

I think it's a Father's Day greeting.

KAC

Some nice images there, Kenny. I see this behavior a lot. The smaller birds chasing the big guys be they hawks, crows, or whatever.

That does look like a hawk. Nice shots! 8)

Awesome behavior shots!
The hawk is indeed a Red-tailed Hawk.

Thanks guys.

Ed, the blackbirds seem to be the most territorial to me, they have no fear!

Asolie there's a somewhat better shot of him (before the attack started) here: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=336009

Thanks for the confirmation Ephily, appreciate your stopping by.

KAC

Very nice series not the best quality but an interesting subject.

Thanks Mike, yes the quality kinda sucks, but I thought it was exciting and part of what I was doing today was practicing trying to track birds in flight to learn how to do it and what settings, lenses, etc to use. The pelican shots a bit better:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=336031

KAC