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A stork got a heck of a surprise when it came beak to snout with a killer crocodile.

The hunting bird looked like it might lose more than its lunch as a the reptile's jaws came within inches of its head.

The yellow-billed stork was fishing on the Siwadu lake at a game reserve in Tanzania when it spotted the head of a tiger fish floating in the water.

It was about to tuck into it lucky discovery when a peckish crocodile swooped in and snatched the fish right out of the stork's beak.

(Image: Caters)

In this stunning series of images, the crocodile is seen coming within inches of feasting on the stork - and in one image it looks like the stork may be in for it.

But happy with its fishy catch, the content crocodile left the stork to continue fishing.

Photographer Mark Sheridan Johnson captured the images at the Selous Game Reserve, where he works as a safari guide.

(Image: Caters)

Mark, 35, said: "I noticed the stork was playing with something in the water, it turned out to be the head of a tiger fish.

"While playing with the fish head the stork attracted the attention of a young crocodile, who came swimming in at speed to steal the bird's dinner.

(Image: Caters)

"Once the croc had the fish, the stork realised the battle was lost, so decided to carry on fishing near the crocodile.

"You will quite often see these storks fishing close by to crocodiles, they know that as the croc moves along the shoreline of the lake, it will scare fish away from it, which the stork will catch.

(Image: Caters)

"Similarly you'll find different species of birds such as the yellow-billed stork and the spoonbill hunting side by side, this is called 'twin hunting strategy'.

"These bird and crocs live in general harmony, but sometimes the crocs do kill them."

Watch terrifying 16ft croc make short work of smaller rival: