About the Author

Nick Tennick

Contributor

Nick has always loved the outdoors and never turns down an opportunity for an adventure. After finishing high school in Johannesburg, where he grew up, Nick spent a gap year in the Zimbabwean bushveld which truly sparked his love for wildlife and conservation ...

View Nick's profile

32 Comments

on The Secretary Bird vs. The Nightjar, with an Unexpected Twist

Join the conversationJoin the conversation

Gawie Jordaan
Master Tracker

First – The blog title GOT my attention, and then the photos! I am speechless! Wow – Truly Incredible sighting! And truely well done to the photographer!

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You Gawie! I was in the right place at the right time!

Vin Beni
Master Tracker

Famtastic photos Nick!

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You Vin!

Camille Koertner
Senior Digital Ranger

Awesome photography! I think I would have been too stunned to shoot!!!

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You Camille! Fortunately I was so focused on capturing the Nightjar in the Beak of the Secretary bird that when the Tawny Eagle arrived my camera was up and ready!

Anita Santoro
Digital Tracker

Crazy! Great shots! Interesting bird(s)…maybe the Nightjar needs to take up sleeping somewhere else?!

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You Anita. Bad luck for the nightjar on this occasion, but a rare sighting indeed!

Paul Canales
Master Tracker

Wow! Incredible sighting Nick, and even more incredible images. You really captured the moment for us in your writing and photos. Bravo!!

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You, Paul.

Michael and Terri Klauber
Master Tracker

Nick, What a great sighting and fantastic action photos! Great info on the Secretary Bird. Thanks for a great reminder of the drama that goes on with the birds – not just leopards and lions! We are missing you and Joy and can’t wait to return!

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You Michael and Terri! Im glad you enjoyed the information on the Secretary Bird. Joy and I look forward to it!

Sandra Scott
Senior Digital Ranger

Wow! Thank you for the pictures. I was fortunate enough when I was there to see a Secretary Bird and a Tawny Eagle. Both stunning birds. I have a wonderful picture of the tawny sitting on a branch at sunset.

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You Sandra, They are both epic Birds of Prey and I’m glad you managed to photograph one of them!

Valmai Vorster
Master Tracker

Nick what a fantastic sighting and your photography is absolutely stunning. I would never of thought that an eagle would swoop down and grab the nightjar out of the secretary birds grasp. That just goes to show never a dull moment in the wild.

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You Valmai! Exactly, there is never a dull moment in the bush and it always seems to surprise us.

Christa Blessing
Master Tracker

What a dramatic encounter between those three birds. Fantastic photos, Nick.
There are lots of fantastic sightings out in the bush, as exciting as sightings of predators like lions or leopards.

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You Christa!

Mary Beth Wheeler
Master Tracker

Great story, Nick and amazing photos!

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You Mary Beth

Suzanne Gibson
Master Tracker

Wow Nick, what a phenomenal sighting! And your photos are fabulous.

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You Suzanne!

William Paynter
Master Tracker

Nick, thank you for the fascinating story of the secretary bird, the night hawk and the tawny eagle. Nature is truly amazing and very oppurtunistic.

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You William. There are a lot of opportunistic predators and birds of prey out in the bush.

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

First of all, your images tell this story illustrating drama and power, so well done Nick! The Secretary bird is one of those elusive species that I’ve only seen once and not close enough to get a proper view. How amazing to not only spot this stunning bird, but witness its attack of the Nightjar, and before able to consume, loses it to the Tawny Eagle. Just another stellar moment!

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You Denise, It really was a stellar moment and a sighting I won’t forget. I hope you get the chance to see the Secretary bird on your next visit to Londolozi!

Barbi Evenson
Senior Digital Ranger

What amazing photographs and story!
Lions, leopards and birds… oh my!!

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You Barbi!

Chelsea Allard
Master Tracker

What a fantastically captured scene! I love birds and only wish I’d been there to see this play out in real life. Your incredible images captured it beautifully. I may need to meditate on the symbolism of this sighting for some time.

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank You Chelsea, My guests and I were very fortunate to witness this. I’m thrilled that you are fascinated by birds. They really are so interesting and can be really challenging to photograph which is exciting!

Marcia Parker
Digital Tracker

Interesting post and fabulous group of photos Nick! It reminded me of an experience I had while kayaking. An osprey dove into the lake for a fish and I was happy to get a good shot of it powerfully pulling up and out of the water. As the osprey is flying away suddenly a bald eagle 🦅 arrives and steals it! Thanks for this post 🤩📸 🙏🏻

Nick Tennick
Contributor

Thank you Marcia. Wow! its sounds like you had an unbelievable sighting – thanks for sharing.

Connect with Londolozi

Follow Us

One moment...
Anonymous
Be the first to this photo
You and 1 others this photo
q

Filed under
Anonymous
10 April, 2798
+
Add Profile