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Stuart Smith | all galleries >> Galleries >> Photo a Day 2012 > Close up of starling gripping hawks foot-1337.jpg
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07-OCT-2012 © Stuart Smith

Close up of starling gripping hawks foot-1337.jpg

Middleton, Idaho

Starling grabs Cooper's Hawk by the foot in effort to save it's life from a final killing grasp.

The irony in this image is that while I was visiting family I have not seen in years, my cousin said she was interested in photography and wanted to see what camera gear I used.
So while we were talking camera's this Cooper's Hawk nailed this starling right across the yard from us. The Starling did escape, believe it or not!

This is a large crop to show the Starling grasping the hawks foot!!!

Canon EOS 7D ,Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM
1/1250s f/9.0 at 500.0mm iso400 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time07-Oct-2012 16:53:45
MakeCanon
ModelCanon EOS 7D
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length500 mm
Exposure Time1/1250 sec
Aperturef/9
ISO Equivalent400
Exposure Bias
White Balance
Metering Mode
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program
Focus Distance20.700 m

other sizes: small medium large auto
Judi Hastings10-Oct-2012 11:15
What an amazing nature shot!!! I'm sure by gripping that foot he saved his own life, but I can't believe the hawk didn't nail it with the other foot! They say they just pierce the heart with their claws. Fantastic...thanks for sharing!!!
Sandi Whitteker10-Oct-2012 03:18
What a catch! So glad it got away, although I know it's just nature, and the hawk has to eat too.
Sandi Whitteker10-Oct-2012 03:18
What a catch! So glad it got away, although I know it's just nature, and the hawk has to eat too.
Sandi Whitteker10-Oct-2012 03:17
What a catch! So glad it got away, although I know it's just nature, and the hawk has to eat too.
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