Photographing Raptors and Birds of Prey

With its piercing gaze, this Grey-headed Fish Eagle is a specialized hunter of South East Asia's waterways. Known locally as the 'tank eagle' in Sri Lanka, its presence signifies a healthy aquatic ecosystem, a conservation message I emphasize in my tours.

A different angle of the Grey-headed Fish Eagle, showing its focused, predatory stare. Observing these birds requires patience, as they can sit for long periods before striking. This is a lesson in fieldcraft that is essential for any wildlife photographer.

The Brahminy Kite, with its contrasting white head and chestnut body, is a common but magnificent sight along India's coastlines and wetlands. Here it sits majestically atop a palm, ever watchful, a true ruler of the skies.

Known as the 'Butcher Bird', the Long-tailed Shrike is a small but fierce hunter. This one, perched on a thorny acacia in Haryana, uses these thorns to impale its prey, creating a larder. It's a fascinating, if grim, behavior we sometimes witness on field trips.

The Great Grey Shrike, another 'Butcher Bird', surveys its territory in the open fields of Haryana. Its distinct black mask gives it a menacing look, fitting for a bird that hunts insects, lizards, and even small rodents with silent precision.

A Pallas's Gull, or Great Black-headed Gull, soars with its catch. These large gulls are opportunistic feeders, often preying on fish and even the chicks of other birds. Capturing them in flight with a meal is a rewarding challenge.

A Blue Rock Thrush with a beak full of worms, likely for its young. My principle is to never disturb a nesting bird, so after capturing this moment, we moved on to allow the mother to feed her chicks in peace. Ethical photography always comes first.

A pair of Large-billed Crows perched on a rock. These highly intelligent and adaptable birds are widespread across Asia and feature in many local mythologies. Their intelligence makes them fascinating subjects to observe and photograph.

An Oriental Darter surfaces with a fish, a perfect example of a successful hunt. These birds, also known as snakebirds, are expert divers. My workshops in wetland areas often provide fantastic opportunities to photograph this dynamic behavior.