Our Feathered Friends - Birds
Submit photos of the birds, pets, domestic or wild, in the natural environment. Only pictures of natural and alive birds are accepted. It would be nice (but not obligatory) if you supply your photo with the bird's breed name and a short story.
Suggested by Whitman's Images.
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Red-tailed Hawk Attacking Mexican Free-tailed Bats
Red-tailed Hawk Attacking Mexican Free-tailed Bats
Each evening during the spring and summer, 10 million pregnant female Mexican Free-tailed Bats fly from a cave on a ranch in Texas to feed on moths and insects. As the bats leave the cave, birds of prey, including Red-tailed Hawks, attack and eat the bats while in flight. Meanwhile, the male bats remain in Mexico and await the return of the female bats after the young have been raised. In an international competition between amateur and professional nature photographers, this photo was recently voted one of the top 100 nature images of 2006.
Submitted by Al Perry

Place 4
Average score: 7.5809
  • Nobby Premium user United Kingdom (Private Message)
    03/27/07 1:18 AM

    This is a great action photo! Great shot! Seems like the male bats show the most intelligence by staying in Mexico! Jeff


  • Hawkwoman Premium user United States (Private Message)
    03/21/07 5:00 PM

    That is awesome!! Great photo Good luck!


  • (Anonymously) (Private Message)
    03/21/07 6:52 PM

    Nice!


  • LesTension Premium user United States (Private Message)
    03/21/07 8:36 PM

    What can I say Al? This is about as close to perfection as it gets.

    BTW...I just reviewed the vote statistics on this shot. Who in their right mind could possibly give this photo a 4 or 3 or 0? They remind me of a forester who didn't know an aspen from a pole in the ground.


  • Pat & Melanie (Private Message)
    03/21/07 11:10 PM

    Unbelievable! You deserve a 10 for this one, great job!


  • ooO(PETER)Ooo Premium user Australia (Private Message)
    03/21/07 11:40 PM

    Smokin Al, a 10 from me, sheer perfection! Good luck!


  • v i v i a n e =(;)-O =¦ Premium user Netherlands (Private Message)
    03/22/07 12:28 AM

    fabulous shot, exactly what I expected from you!
    I hope you will do extremely well!


  • trishvandenberg Premium user Bahamas (Private Message)
    03/22/07 2:33 AM

    impressive !!
    ~trish~


  • Nalabear2 (Private Message)
    03/22/07 3:07 AM

    Fantastic shot.


  • ♣ enarcadie ♣ Premium user United States (Private Message)
    03/22/07 7:24 AM

    this had to be yours! :-)


  • Andyedwards Premium user United Kingdom (Private Message)
    03/22/07 10:55 AM

    Excellent picture, good luck in the contest.


  • aardvark7 Premium user United Kingdom (Private Message)
    03/22/07 11:06 AM

    This is a really great shot. My only advice, given with good intent, is not to mention performance in other competitions. I'm sure this is the reason for some of those low scores because people may feel their judgement is being pressured.


  • TIFFANY402 (Private Message)
    03/22/07 8:35 PM

    excellent smashing shot love the action feel sorry for the bats though nature can be so cruel at times


  • Robert Trail Premium user United States (Private Message)
    03/24/07 3:23 AM

    A truly amazing shot!


  • Marilyn's Original's XO {Velvet7} Premium user United States (Private Message)
    03/24/07 5:46 AM

    yes very cool shot!! and interesting about the bats,,


  • Orly Yahalom Premium user Israel (Private Message)
    03/24/07 9:24 PM

    Quite amazing capture, and very interesting description.


  • Wallclocks United States (Private Message)
    03/24/07 11:21 PM

    Great shot!!! A big score from me.


  • cavewolfphotography.com Premium user United States (Private Message)
    03/25/07 3:11 AM

    Being a caver and a little more familiar with Bats and predation on them then most I really appreciate this. Never saw this before.Have seen Snakes hunt at cave entrances along with Raccoons and Cats, but this is new to me. Al, Awesome shot man! The mention of the other contest results are part of the photos story, and should have no bearing on how one should cast their vote. There is a bridge in Texas that is a nursery for the Mexican free tail Bats did you ever shoot there? Alan


  • ooO(PETER)Ooo Premium user Australia (Private Message)
    03/25/07 5:46 AM

    Hi Al,

    Those male bats have a tough life!! Any ideas why the female bats chose that particular cave? Pretty amazing - like much of nature. Like the salmon returning the their own stream to spawn. What does the Free Tailed bit mean?

    Peter


  • Canucks (Private Message)
    03/25/07 7:03 PM

    Wow what a shot! Our 10 :) This should be at the top where it belongs.


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