Started a new job last week which has meant a lot of miles covered, however no photos being taken. It has given me the opportunity to watch plenty of bird and mammal life......which helps in passing the time on the commutes to and from work.
There has been two main highlights. The first was two waxwings perched high on the crown of a tree. I was a little surprised and was lucky to be able to pull in at a adjacent junction to make sure. Bins in hand, window down and the frosty air extracting the heat out the car......confirmed!!! Two waxwings under 10 miles from home and according to birdguides possibly the first winter record for the area. Was made up and let's hope this is a good omen for regular sightings of these winter visitors.
My second highlight was late in the evening on my way home. 6 foxes in under 100 metres and one was melanistic....a rare black fox. I have been out a few evenings to try and relocate it but as yet no further sightings. Pity it was in a fairly public area or the camera trap would be getting set up....I fear if I do it will go with a 5 finger discount.
Other sightings have included the starling murmeration in Somerset and as I will be in and out the area for the next 4 weeks let's hope for some photo opportunities and good weather. Plenty of raptors around including Merlin...I love these small raptors.
Deer sightings make my day and this week they have been a plenty, small groups of Roe, herds of Fallow and the odd muntjac.....I always smile when I see the Red Deer stag at a local farm on my way past. He is a stunning 18 pointer...but doesn't really count as a sighting ;)
Well I'm currently sat on a plane heading for what will hopefully be another quick adventure in the land of the cold.....fingers crossed for it being so with beasties a plenty.
May I take this opportunity to thank you all for taking the time to read my entries.
I am very grateful to all my followers and may I wish you all a Merry Christmas and I hope 2015 brings happiness and good health to you all.
Another early rise and at our regular coffee stop we met up with a local photographer friend.
The weather was meant to be poor with heavy rain predicted. However after a check on the weather radar it looked like it would be dry till about 2pm which was perfect as that's the time we would be finishing.
Arriving in darkness and laying the food out hopes were high that the eagles would show. Well the action started in the twilight....a large shape was seen gliding towards the central pine.......Our first Spanish Imperial Eagle!!!!
Looking through the lens we could make out it was a 3 to 4 year old with its spotted feathers. These sub adults are stunning as they change from the juvenile orange to the adult dark brown of adults.
We sat praying that it would stay till we could take some record shots. 30 minutes in and high ISO and speeds of 1/8sec a few shots were taken. I love my 1DX. We needed to worry as it stayed for 3 hours giving us fantastic views on various perches.
Once the light came the action started. I spotted movement on the ground and the Eagle dropped out the tree.
3/4 year old Spanish Imperial Eagle - Twilight
2 red foxes....One on the track the other to the right and a Egyptian Mongoose to the left. The Eagle trying to see them off. Flying all over as it chased them away. The mongoose being the first to vanish without staying for its photo. The foxes being more cunning did manage to get to steal some food before heading back into the forest. The Eagle then returning to the pine for a rest.
Iberian Red Fox
3/4 Year Old Imperial
Not long after another shape gliding past....A second Imperial and this time this year's chick. It tried to join its older sibling with no joy as she saw it off the perch. Finding it's own pine to the left, it made its self comfy.
Juvenile Being chased off
3/4 Year Old Imperial
3/4 Year Old Imperial
After a hour and few fly byes the vultures desensed....100+ arriving all over the lower plato. This brought the adults eagles to the party!!!!
This years Imperial Chick
This years Imperial Chick
3/4 Year Old Fly by
3/4 Year Old landing
Both parents arriving and taking centry posts on either side of the valley.
Adult Spanish Imperial Eagle
What we assume to the the male making various patrol passes to ensure all was in check. We did expect him to chase the young away but lucky for us today his tolerance of them was good.....he only reminded them he and his lady own this area and allowed them to stay. The Ravens seam to have other ideas of who is in charge but the Adults know how to deal with them!!
Adult Imperial & Raven
After an hour the vultures started to walk to the hide and as yesterday the food would be gone in minutes. This did not deter the eagles as the young joined them on the ground to feed. Unfortunately for us away from photo opportunities. The adults weren't hungry today as they stayed on the perches.
Cinereous Vulture
Griffon Vulture
Griffon Dispute
By leaving time we had near 200 Griffon, 5 Black Vulture and three eagles still at the location!!!!
Not like me but today I completely ignored the 50+ Azure-winged Magpies making regular visits, however did take a few record shots of the black redstart and wagtails.
On being picked up a distant Golden Eagle was seen. A perfect end to my winter trek to the Sierra Morena!!!!
The weather was kind and only the slightest of shower. I was hoping for a downpour towards the end as I would love some shots of vultures in the rain......
If you fancy a trip to this stunning location please get in contact as I run various workshops throughout the year. I have a couple of limited places left in mid May.
Future dates will be added including the deer rut in September/October and next winter. I should also be visiting during other times and you are welcome to join me.
www.wildlifeinpixels.co.uk for more details or drop me a message.
The past few months have seen me away from photography, wildlife watching and so forth. I am glad to announce that normal services should return in the coming weeks.
I decided to take up a offer from my good friend Agustín and fly out to Malaga early Thursday for a few days away.
Arriving mid morning in Malaga and without delays I meet Agustín outside the airport. We took a little drive through Torremolinos and before making route to Adamuz we saw plenty of Monk Parakeets. Pity the camera was in the boot as a pair were perched 4 metres from were we were stopped and didn't seam bothered by the passing pedestrians.
Once of the motorway the spotting began and by the time we arrived the raptor count was approaching double figures ....Peregrine, Kestrels, black kites, numerous red kites, sparrowhawk, Griffon Vultures, buzzards and surprisingly a Booted Eagle.
After a quick bite to eat I headed to the woodland hide to pass a couple hours while the Eagle hide was made ready for the following day.
Crested Tit
Blue Tit
Had nice visits from Hawfinch, Chafinch, Blue tit, Great tits, numerous Crested tit, Nuthatches.....also a rare and confiding Rock Bunting made a visit before I headed back for the evening and a few cañas and stunning food at the Chaparro.
Crested Tit
Hawfinch - Male
Nuthatch
Rock Bunting
Friday was an early start and after a quick cafe con leche and tostada we headed to the Imperial Eagle hide before the sun was even thinking of surfacing.
The morning kept us entertained with regular visits from 40+ Azure-winged Magpies, various white wagtails, black redstart, flocks of spotless starlings and goldfinches.
Azure-winged Magpie
Goldfinch
As quick as lighting with a flash from the side, a kill was made........One of my favourite and most secretive raptors took an Azure-winged Magpie out of the pine tree.....A female Goshawk!!! Amazing to see this large raptor move through the branches and take its lunch away.
Photos...not a hope lol
After seeing flocks of distant vultures, I was starting to get worried that this may be one of those rare times that neither vultures or eagles would show.......how wrong was I!!!
Griffon Vulture
Cinereous Vulture
All of a sudden they made a beehive for the hide and within minutes they started to land in good numbers. Within 20 minutes more than 100 Griffon and 3 Cinereous (black)vultures were on the ground. 30 minutes later....bang they walked to the hide and within 15 minutes 80kg of food and part of a boar was all but gone.
Below is a short video from my mobile of part of the group feeding
Cinereous (black) Vulture
Griffon Threat display
Griffon Threat display
BANG was only part of it as during a scrap one of the smaller Griffon was thrown against the hide.
Interestingly there was a very pale Griffon. Much paler than the older adults, we believe it could be a possible Leucistic due to its colouring, light coloured eyes and very pale talons.
Griffon Vulture - Possible Leucistic, very pale and pale claws
Surprisingly Cinereous (black) vultures don't look much bigger than Griffon when stood beside each other, however when they open up was a size difference and the reason most stay away from this aggressive vulture....food is theirs if they want it!!!!!
Kung Fu Cinereous to Griffon
Cinereous & Griffon Vulture
Most of the vultures stayed till the end with the eagles keeping their distance....making their disapproving calls.
Cinereous Vulture
Griffon Vultures
Cinereous Vulture
I am fairly confident that I noticed one of the rarer vultures land....A juvenile Rupples. However I could not relocate it in feeding group as it may have stayed in the valley below with around 30 or so Griffon that didn't fancy dinner. Perhaps a little too fat from the day before.
Normally this would be a fantastic day but Saturday would top this stunning experience.
I will be posting that day after a decision is made on what photos to post. Shouldn't take more than a day or two.....I hope!!
If you fancy a trip to this stunning location please get in contact as I run various workshops throughout the year. I have a couple of limited places left in mid May.
Future dates will be added including the deer rut in September/October and next winter. I should also be visiting during other times and you are welcome to join me.
