Odd one out

Daniel Back's Image

When Daniel visited the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, his dad lent him a camera.

One evening, from a small hide, Daniel practised photographing the activity of carmine bee-eaters around their nests in the riverbank. It wasn’t easy as the birds zoomed in and out at speed, and he just couldn’t capture them in flight. So he concentrated instead on the birds perched on a vine. In the midst of all the flutter and noise, he realised that a different species – a white-fronted bee‑eater – was now flying in and out of frame. It landed briefly on the vine, just long enough for Daniel to press the shutter. It wasn’t until he got home and checked his files that he realised the two species were actually facing opposite directions as they looked out for insects flying above the water.


Behind the lens

Daniel Back

Daniel Back

United Kingdom

Daniel is passionate about all wildlife – especially marine species and reptiles – and enjoys taking photographs. He has recently been learning as much as he can about dinosaurs and other prehistoric life. His ambition is to be palaeontologist, zoologist or marine biologist – his dream is to discover a new species.

Image details

  • Nikon D5100
  • Sigma 50–150mm f2.8 lens
  • 1/3200 sec at f7.1
  • South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
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