Racket-tailed Roller pair (for ingweDave)

[marc]

Very fortunate to find this pair displaying, normally seen high up in thick forest canopy.
So to have them displaying on an open clear perch low down was a rare treat!

Ruaha Nat Park- TZ


Nikon D500
Nikkor 80-400
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO360

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

Nikon D500
Nikkor 80-400
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO400

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

Nikon D500
Nikkor 80-400
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO400

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

It's cousin the much more common but no less colourful Lilac-breasted Roller.

Nikon D4s
Nikkor 400E FL VR f/2.8
f/5.6
1/1600s
ISO250

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

Nikon D3s
Nikkor 500 f/4 VR
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO200

This Grey Kestrel was minding his own business when suddenly out of nowhere this Lilac-breasted Roller started it's dive bombing/ harrassment tactics, it worked as minutes later the Kestrel was soon flushed from it's perch and moved out of range. Like with all birds of prey they are not tolerated, especially if their is a nest site close by.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

Cheers
Marc

 

[Hawkeshead]

Stunning series Marc, as impressive as ever. Super captures and informative

 

[Charles Loy]

Super, lovely bird. A nice showing of Nikon generations too

 

[Tadzio]

Excellent series Marc

 

[Callie]

Green! What can I say - been going to Kruger for 30 years and the RTR is still not on the list. Love the G-Kestrel bomber. Hope you will show that takeoff to!!
Lovely series, Marc!

 

[Gongster]

Super shots again Marc.

 

[PeggyBaker]

wonderful sequence

 

[gordon_g]

Gorgeous stuff like always Marc...beautiful coloring on the roller!

 

[Icarus]

Beautiful series. Particularly like the last image, it shows behavior and is beautiful as well!

 

[Yezdi]

Magnificent series Marc...especially the last shot of the RTR wing spread....love it...

 

[ingweDave]

Very fortunate to find this pair displaying, normally seen high up in thick forest canopy.
So to have them displaying on an open clear perch low down was a rare treat!

Ruaha Nat Park- TZ


Nikon D500
Nikkor 80-400
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO360

View attachment 9908




Nikon D500
Nikkor 80-400
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO400

View attachment 9909




Nikon D500
Nikkor 80-400
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO400

View attachment 9910



It's cousin the much more common but no less colourful Lilac-breasted Roller.

Nikon D4s
Nikkor 400E FL VR f/2.8
f/5.6
1/1600s
ISO250

View attachment 9913





Nikon D3s
Nikkor 500 f/4 VR
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO200

This Grey Kestrel was minding his own business when suddenly out of nowhere this Lilac-breasted Roller started it's dive bombing/ harrassment tactics, it worked as minutes later the Kestrel was soon flushed from it's perch and moved out of range. Like with all birds of prey they are not tolerated, especially if their is a nest site close by.


View attachment 9916


Cheers
Marc

Very fortunate to find this pair displaying, normally seen high up in thick forest canopy.
So to have them displaying on an open clear perch low down was a rare treat!

Ruaha Nat Park- TZ


Nikon D500
Nikkor 80-400
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO360

View attachment 9908




Nikon D500
Nikkor 80-400
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO400

View attachment 9909




Nikon D500
Nikkor 80-400
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO400

View attachment 9910



It's cousin the much more common but no less colourful Lilac-breasted Roller.

Nikon D4s
Nikkor 400E FL VR f/2.8
f/5.6
1/1600s
ISO250

View attachment 9913





Nikon D3s
Nikkor 500 f/4 VR
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO200

This Grey Kestrel was minding his own business when suddenly out of nowhere this Lilac-breasted Roller started it's dive bombing/ harrassment tactics, it worked as minutes later the Kestrel was soon flushed from it's perch and moved out of range. Like with all birds of prey they are not tolerated, especially if their is a nest site close by.


View attachment 9916


Cheers
Marc

Fantastic images Marc I will keep trying! I have been close to them several times, with them calling close by. Love the last picture with the Grey Kestrel!

 

[Robin]

Very fortunate to find this pair displaying, normally seen high up in thick forest canopy.
So to have them displaying on an open clear perch low down was a rare treat!

Ruaha Nat Park- TZ


Nikon D500
Nikkor 80-400
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO360

View attachment 9908




Nikon D500
Nikkor 80-400
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO400

View attachment 9909




Nikon D500
Nikkor 80-400
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO400

View attachment 9910



It's cousin the much more common but no less colourful Lilac-breasted Roller.

Nikon D4s
Nikkor 400E FL VR f/2.8
f/5.6
1/1600s
ISO250

View attachment 9913





Nikon D3s
Nikkor 500 f/4 VR
f/5.6
1/2500s
ISO200

This Grey Kestrel was minding his own business when suddenly out of nowhere this Lilac-breasted Roller started it's dive bombing/ harrassment tactics, it worked as minutes later the Kestrel was soon flushed from it's perch and moved out of range. Like with all birds of prey they are not tolerated, especially if their is a nest site close by.


View attachment 9916


Cheers
Marc

Such beautiful birds including the Kestrel.

 

[marc]

Many thanks for the kind words and positive comments folks, much appreciated.

 

[Kathy G]

Fabulous series Marc

 

[Gottshotz]

Great shots again Marc --- only got glimpses myself of the Racket-tailed disappearing into the bush --- these are superb !