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Raptors: Hunters of the Sky

bySumit Kumar SumAvailable online; Shoots across IndiaStarts from₹6,500 per framed printView full gallery

From the silent flight of owls to the sharp stare of falcons, witness the raw power and intensity of nature’s apex predators through my lens.

A Shikra with its kill, a garden lizard. This raptor is a common but fierce hunter, and this image captures the raw reality of the food chain with an intense, direct stare.

A closer look at the Shikra feeding. Documenting these behaviors provides valuable insight into the lives of these urban predators.

Patience is everything in birding. After a long wait, this Oriental Honey Buzzard finally landed on a beautiful perch, giving me a rewarding shot of its majestic profile.

An 'owlsome' Monday sighting. This Indian Eagle Owl, perched regally on the rocks of the Aravallis, watches over its territory with inquisitive, fiery eyes.

I had to get into an acrobatic position to frame this Spotted Owlet through the branches. The result is a unique perspective that makes the viewer feel like they are peeking into the owlet's world.

A full-body shot of the juvenile Black-winged Kite. Perched on a dead branch against a clean sky, its posture shows a mix of youthful curiosity and the confidence of a raptor.

Another angle of the young Black-winged Kite. Its sharp talons grip the perch, a reminder of the powerful tools it will use to hunt.

A dramatic close-up of a Black Kite's head, its sharp, hooked beak and intense red eye filling the frame. This perspective showcases the formidable features of this urban scavenger.

A Brahminy Kite soaring against a brilliant blue sky, its wings catching the sunlight. This shot highlights the beautiful contrast of its white head and chestnut body.

A Black-eared Kite in flight, carrying its prey. Capturing these moments requires tracking the bird's movement and anticipating its path.

About Raptors: Hunters of the Sky

Capturing these birds is rarely about speed; it is almost entirely about stillness. I use specialized super-telephoto lenses to document behaviors from a respectful distance, ensuring the raptor remains unaware of my presence. This approach is the only way to get those sharp, intimate details—like the exact moment a Shikra locks eyes with its prey or the ruffled texture of an owl’s plumage—without interfering with their natural hunting patterns.

Documenting raptors across Delhi-NCR and Himalayas. — Approved by the tribe
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Sumit Kumar Sum

Available online; Shoots across IndiaStarts from ₹6,500 per framed print

I am Sumit, and when I am not crawling through the mud or hiding behind foliage to catch an owl's stare, I am likely planning my next field shoot. For me, photography is the patience to wait for a moment of magic, not just to press the shutter. I want to show you the wild, unfiltered life that thrives right here in our own backyard.

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An Osprey, a specialized fish-eating hawk, captured mid-flight against a clear blue sky. This shot demonstrates my ability to track and photograph fast-moving subjects in open environments.
A Common Kestrel hovers in the sky, a behavior characteristic of its hunting technique. Capturing this dynamic suspension in a still image is a rewarding challenge.

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The Peregrine Falcon, the fastest animal on Earth, captured in a rare moment of stillness after a bath. Its fierce expression and powerful stance show the intensity of this incredible bird of prey.58
A close-up of a Changeable Hawk-Eagle at Rajaji Tiger Reserve. Its piercing yellow eye and sharp beak are the tools of a fierce predator.
A male Shikra, also known as the little banded goshawk, perched in a tree in Dwarka, New Delhi. Their fiery red eyes are a distinguishing feature.
A Rock Eagle-Owl perched amongst the foliage near Delhi. These large owls are masters of camouflage, blending in perfectly with their rocky habitats.

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A Short-toed Snake Eagle takes flight, its impressive wingspan on full display. These eagles are specialized hunters of reptiles and are often seen soaring over open country in search of their next meal.15
The powerful takeoff of a Short-toed Snake Eagle, a large raptor with a wingspan that can reach over six feet. This shot captures the sheer force and determination of this magnificent bird.
A Short-toed Snake Eagle in flight against a backdrop of green foliage. These birds are masters of soaring, using their broad wings to ride thermal currents for hours.

Raptor and Bird of Prey Photography

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A Crested Serpent Eagle perched on a branch, devouring a snake. The golden light and the dramatic subject make this a powerful image of a predator at work.24
A Short Toed Snake Eagle captured in flight, with what appears to be the wing of another bird in its beak. This is a rare and dynamic action shot showing the eagle's hunting prowess.
A duplicate of image 100, offering a clear view of the eagle's impressive flight and its unusual prey.
The same Short Toed Snake Eagle in a moment of powerful flight, showcasing the beautiful pattern on its underwings.

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The intense, direct gaze of a Crested Serpent Eagle. When a bird of prey looks at you like this, you feel a deep connection to its wild spirit. I used a dark background to make its piercing yellow eyes the absolute focus of the portrait.87
An extreme close-up of a spotted owlet. Its large, round, yellow eyes are full of curiosity. This kind of intimate portrait allows you to see the fine details of its feathers and appreciate the beauty of these common but often overlooked birds.
A rose-ringed parakeet nibbles on a flower at Sundar Nursery in Delhi. The soft, misty background and the delicate flowers create a beautiful, almost romantic setting. It’s a peaceful moment of a bird enjoying nature's bounty.
A male Alexandrine parakeet approaches a female in a courtship ritual. The high-key background isolates the birds, focusing the viewer's attention on their interaction and vibrant green plumage. Capturing these behaviors requires a lot of patience.

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The Mountain Hawk-Eagle is a formidable predator of forested hills. This one, calling out from its perch, displays the raw power and intensity I aim to capture. Learning to spot and photograph such large raptors is a key part of my Himalayan expeditions.12
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.

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