This striated caracara (locally known as a Johnny Rook) was guarding a gentoo penguin egg it had snatched from a nearby colony. With that little curve at the end of its beak, the caracaras struggled with actually cracking the egg and would end up rolling them up and down the beach before finally breaking through. Photographed on Saunders Island in the Falklands. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/1600th of a second.
Thanks Sue. These guys were ever present in the Falklands. No real fear of humans, and constantly on the look out for abandoned backpacks and what goodness might be inside.
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This striated caracara (locally known as a Johnny Rook) was guarding a gentoo penguin egg it had snatched from a nearby colony. With that little curve at the end of its beak, the caracaras struggled with actually cracking the egg and would end up rolling them up and down the beach before finally breaking through. Photographed on Saunders Island in the Falklands. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/1600th of a second.
Wow – amazing bird. How lucky you have been to have traveled extensively to see such wildlife behavior across our globe.
Thanks Sue. These guys were ever present in the Falklands. No real fear of humans, and constantly on the look out for abandoned backpacks and what goodness might be inside.
You caught the emotion here He just looks so mean & determined to crack that egg open for a big meal
Happy New Year
Aunt Sue
I felt bad for the penguins that lost their eggs, but thus is the cycle of life.
There’s nothing like a mother’s love for the child she is about to eat.