Breakfast at the Office...

[khiemtran]

When it comes to observing nature, you don't have to be on safari in the Serengeti to watch a life-and-death drama play out. You could just be in your office carpark...



Here you can see a black-shouldered kite taking advantage of the updraft from a nearby hill. It's hovering almost motionless, waiting for just the right moment to strike...



When it does, it's over in a white flash...



Looks like a largish rat, judging by the length of its tail.



Here you can see the kite making off with its prey. I'm pretty sure the smaller bird is just trying to defend its territory, rather than steal some breakfast...



However, there's Trouble Brewing. A smaller kite at six o'clock high, talons ready...



A close-up of the first kite with its breakfast in tow. A short aerial battle ensued, which I didn't manage to capture very well.



The larger kite disappears with its prize, most likely looking for somewhere to enjoy its meal in peace.

Comments

[puddleshark.livejournal.com]

Wonderful shots!

And some excellent rodent control. Well done that kite - carry on the good work!

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Yes, it certainly ate well today. I often see them catching mice and lizards, but that rat looked enormous!

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Um...yum? :P

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Kite #2 was certainly keen for a taste...

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

The rat looks so relatively *large*--like, it must be heavy for the kite to carry.

I was driving near the local university one day and saw a red-tailed hawk swoop down and carry off a squirrel. It was unnerving!

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

I guess the thing about raptors is that they're built for speed and power, so they probably do have a lot of spare carrying capacity. I'm used to seeing the kites and kestrels just taking mice and lizards though, so I was surprised at how big this rat was.