Species: Crested Serpent Eagle | Location: Kaziranga National Park, India
Taken March 17, 2023 in Kaziranga National Park, India on the "Grand India Wildlife Adventure" with Aditya Panda.
We had seen Crested Serpent Eagles on several occasions. Some were in trees scanning the horizon, some were on the ground eating a kill. However, when this one came from the left, I started shooting in burst mode. Because I had kept my camera with a high shutter speed to capture birds in flight, I was ready for this opportunity. It was only after the fact when I was scrolling through what I shot that I found (a) the perfectly framed opening, (b) the wings in a pleasing orientation, and most unusually (c) the actually serpent in the serpent eagle's claws. Moreover, thanks to eye-autofocus, the photo turned out tack-sharp.
My preferred crop for this photo is square are tighter to frame the bird with almost a circle of the golden leaves. This crop is submitted to fit the contest rules.
About The Photographer
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