Time of year to head back to sunnier climates and always good when the weather at home isn't great.... however this time the weather was lovely. Not to worry alarm set for stupid o'clock and all set to head to the airport.
In the early hours and as the levelers were heading home of I went to meet my client for our three days of intense photography....or should I say 3 days of no sleep ;)
After a fairly easy journey and stop over in Torremolinos to pick up some items...not to mention observe the local Monk Parakeets we headed north to the Sierra.
Arriving early afternoon we had a nice lunch and rest before heading to the Bee Eaters colony. Located on a river bed surrounded by wild flower fields we had 30 to 40 birds circulling the hides for the 3 or so hours we were there.
Unfortunately no real courtship was observed but nest building and some food passes were seen. Even the local kingfisher showed up a couple of times...but as is my luck I missed the shots of him perched up 4 metres from me.
As we were packing up a nice little owl was hooting on the nearby ruin farm building.
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| Bee Eater at Nest Hole |
Once picked up we decided to head out to visit a Hoopoe nest and try our luck with the male eyed lizard. No luck with the later but joy with the Hoopoe chick popping out to say hello. Also a pair of stunning Wood-backed Shrike and a Little Owl guarding her nest would bring a nice end to our first day.
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| Little Owl |
8 or so new species for my client with around 5 being photographed.
Another early rise on day two so to be in the hide before sunrise. 2 hours sleep for me but felling great and full of hope for the day ahead.
Within 5 minutes of being set up the first of 5 foxes would show. A nursing vixen was first, followed by...what I suspect is her elder daughter from the last brood as they showed no aggression towards each other.
A young cub looked through the long grass but did not come out to have a look.
Shortly after the first foxes the adults pair appeared leaving their two chicks behind. We were expecting them to take in turns showing for the meal but they must have not been hungry as they did not come down to feed.
Shortly after the first foxes the adults pair appeared leaving their two chicks behind. We were expecting them to take in turns showing for the meal but they must have not been hungry as they did not come down to feed.
However some great action was seen then the dog fox turned up. This brought the eagles down and chasing them away. At one stage I was sure it had grabbed the fox.
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| Spanish Imperial Eagle - Not Cropped!!! |
A long a productive day with another 3 species being added to my clients list. Spanish Imperial Eagle, Griffon and Black Vultures being seen and the first two photographed.
Day three and a bit of a drive to our next destination.....Egyptian Vulture hide.
It would not disappoint. 20 or so Egyptians and lots of Black Kites. Unfortunately the Griffon or Black's did not come to feed as we had news of a carcass had been spotted the day before. Still a great morning with some fantastic action.
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| Egyptian Vulture - Juveniles..Left Last year Right 2/3 year old |
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| Egyptian Vulture - Adult |
The wind made it that bit extra special as the Black Kites would hover before coming down. Something rarely witnessed with this species.
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| Black Kite - Hovering |
Three long days and another successful trip for both me and my guests. However not the end of the week for me. Within 18 hours of landing in London I would be up in Scotland for the next part of the weeks adventures......Osprey, Kingfisher, Cuckoo and Sparrowhawk
Hope you like the blog and watch out for Part 2...in Scotland
