Dhyey Shah's Image

Dhyey was planning to photograph vultures when he spotted this scene: black kites gathering to roost as the setting sun turned the sky a vibrant, dusky red. Inspired by last year’s competition to experiment with silhouettes, Dhyey feels this image brings together ‘the beauty of all mother nature’s elements – sun, sky and wildlife’.

The carcasses of cows, camels and horses that are dumped at Jorbeer attract migratory and resident vultures, as well as black kites. Black kites are probably the most abundant birds of prey in the world. These raptors eat carrion, as well as live prey – even hovering around bush fires to pluck fleeing insects out of the air.