What could it mean when a raptor like the Crested Serpent-eagle flew down just metres from where you are, ignored you, but 'perch-still' looking backward stealthily? It's got to be stalking!
And just as it had suddenly flown in, it also suddenly headed for the ground, and gotcha!
And it finally looked our way, with its catch securely under its feet!
It looked like the immediate task was to go for the kill whilst protecting itself by drawing on its nictitating membrane, its translucent third eyelid that can be slid across its eye for protection, and a challenge too as the prey wound its tail round one of its legs.
The meal of its day, a cobra, an Equatorial Spitting Cobra (Naja Sumatrana), id courtesy of Dr Vince Adam.
And it not only had to contend with a struggling cobra but also a fallen branch which I supposed was where the cobra could have entwined itself earlier.
And to think that I had trod by that very path just not too many minutes ago!
And about twenty minutes later, I chanced upon this one again, now on the other side of the fence to where it had earlier caught its prey, looking like it was tearing at its meal as it bobbed its head.
Perhaps it was just finishing off its meal as it swiftly moved away from what it was doing when I hunched down to view it, remaining cool and composed.
And then up it came to sit handsome on the gate, as if awaiting another opportunity, or was it protecting an unfinished meal, whichever for which unfortunately I couldn't wait to witness.
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