Cool raptor

[mtnman]

It was a Bateleur Eagle in the wild.

Do you see many of these down there?  Neat looking bird.

[rogwar]

Nice.

Surprised he did not fly away when you were so close to him.

I guess the 300mm lens helped. 

[gyrene81]

I guess the 300mm lens helped. 

  ok that explains the cameo shots. thought maybe you were the bird wisperer or something.

[rogwar]

Do you see many of these down there?  Neat looking bird.

There are more photos here....select the slide show feature. The pics are from South Africa with a lot of them in the Kruger National Park. A few are from a Cheetah rehab center.

http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/TurkeyHunter65/Safari/

[MachFly]

I guess the 300mm lens helped. 

 
And I was wondering how the hell did you sneak up so close.

[MachFly]

There are more photos here....select the slide show feature. The pics are from South Africa with a lot of them in the Kruger National Park. A few are from a Cheetah rehab center.

http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/TurkeyHunter65/Safari/

Amazing

Just out of curiosity, when you go out taking those picture what do you use against tigers & lions?

[rogwar]

Amazing

Just out of curiosity, when you go out taking those picture what do you use against tigers & lions?

Well there are no tigers in Africa but plenty of other dangerous things. Guides typically carried .458 magnum rifles.

[gyrene81]

Well there are no tigers in Africa but plenty of other dangerous things. Guides typically carried .458 magnum rifles.

wow, that is a big round...

[mtnman]

There are more photos here....select the slide show feature. The pics are from South Africa with a lot of them in the Kruger National Park. A few are from a Cheetah rehab center.

http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/TurkeyHunter65/Safari/

Wow!  Very cool photos.  Looks like it was a fun trip!

[saggs]

And I was wondering how the hell did you sneak up so close.

All credit to Rogwar, I think he's being too modest, a 300mm FL is NOT considered a very long lens at all when it comes to birding.  I often use 400 or 500mm when birding, If I can get close enough I switch to the 200mm 2.8 but that doesn't happen most of the time.     Most photographers who are big into birding will use something like a 500 or 600 f4, I've even seen one guy down at the bay a couple times with the Nikor 800mm f8.

[morfiend]

wow, that is a big round...

(Image removed from quote.)

 Yes it is and a standard over there,you wouldnt want to face a buffalo with a 30/30 or some other peashooter!


  Rog,did you happen to see any doing their crazy stunt flying?  Maybe they only do it during breeding season but it's kind of like what the Sea Eagles do!

     They tumble through the air and even crash into trees the odd time.    Very cool bird!


   

[rogwar]

Missed out on that but I could easily spend a month in the Kruger and not get bored.

[morfiend]

 My wife's sister and her husband were there 2 years ago.  Some of the pictures were fantastic,they got 1 of a stork eating some type of cobra,very cool!





   
   

[Dichotomy]

Those are some beautiful shots in your PB account Rog.  I want a 300 for Christmas but I'm afraid I'll have to stick to renting them.