birds – Alison Buttigieg Wildlife Photography http://test3.alisonbuttigieg.com Wildlife & Travel Photography and Blog Sun, 24 Jan 2016 11:48:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.4.18 Murder at Cubitje Quap http://test3.alisonbuttigieg.com/2013/11/14/murder-at-cubitje-quap/ Thu, 14 Nov 2013 10:13:36 +0000 http://www.alisonbuttigieg.com/?p=1164  

So I have decided to start posting some “behind the shot” blog posts for some of my pictures.  I will start with a photo I have shared this week on my Facebook page of a Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk showing off its fresh sandgrouse kill.  This photo was taken at the Cubitje Quap waterhole in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.  It was late morning and from my research I knew that this particular waterhole is well known for the bird action.  The goshawk was drinking from the waterhole, looking innocent enough.  Every now and then flocks of sandgrouse would descend to drink, with the goshawk paying little attention to them.  It was all a devious plot!  Suddenly while the goshawk was still on the ground it did some kung-fu move and bam! a hapless sandgrouse was in its claws.  Where’s the photo of the kung-fu move you may ask?  Oh well, I was busy taking crappy photos of the sandgrouse flying towards the waterhole!  Lesson learned, never ever take your camera lens off a predator when there is prey around – EVER!

Tech:  Canon 7d | Canon 300 2.8L IS II + 1.4 Extender (420mm) | f8 | 1/1000 | ISO 200

]]> My Madagascar Scops Owl photo on National Geographic Blog http://test3.alisonbuttigieg.com/2013/11/12/my-madagascar-scops-owl-photo-on-national-geographic-blog/ Tue, 12 Nov 2013 11:20:52 +0000 http://www.alisonbuttigieg.com/?p=1155  

One of my Madagascar Scops Owl photos is featured as one of the top 25 Bird Photos of the week courtesy of the Wild Bird Trust.  Follow this link to see all the awesome images of birds from all over the world.  Have a look at the Wild Bird Trust webpage as well.  The Wild Bird Trust aims to raise awareness about birds and keeping them safe in the wild.  You can also follow their Facebook page to get a daily dose of some fantastic bird images.

I took this photo during my visit to the Kirindy reserve on the west of Madagascar.  The Madagascar Scops Owl is endemic to Madagascar, but is widely distributed throughout the island.  This Owl might also be known as a Torotoroka Scops Owl but it seems this is not recognised as a separate species by Birdlife so this and the Madagascar Scops Owl are now considered the same species (2007).  It is quite confusing actually, so I would welcome some comments and corrections if you know anything more about this bird!

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