Iberian Nature Photography

[Brit]

Whoever has a Snake phobia shouldn’t look at the photos on the end of the report! But, as brave you actually could be because this Horseshoe Whip Snake yesterday fell in the observation hut of the Guadalhorce directly on my naked arm when she was following a Gecko. A little bit I screamed and shook her off, but then of course I started photographing!

But also such nice sceneries were to be seen, like Mrs. Common Moorhen was asking about the wellbeing of Mrs. Turtle



Please find the photos here (snake photos at the very end):

Adventure at the Guadalhorce-Mouth

[Brit]

Here some photos of the Guadalhorce-Mouth. Where at al Booted Eagles are wintering and Stilts in love mating



Please find the short report here:

Guadalhorce-Mouth – October 16 2014

[Brit]

The last 4 weeks were just unbelievable! Just imagine, at a nearby river-mouth for all this weeks a young Purple Heron was around, to take strength for the continuation for his journey to a place south of the Sahara desert. He presented unbelievable beautiful moments and let me take part how he gradually matured and changed from being to incautious and unconcerned.

But he wasn’t stupid from the very beginning, because he utilized the bread, which people had thrown into the water to feed the Ducks, to use it as instrument to fish



Please find the first report here:

Young Purple Heron fishing with the help of bread

[Brit]

And here the young Purple Heron – in Spain there are only 2000 breeding pairs left - preening his plumage, which he took very seriously!



Please find the report here

Young Purple Heron preening his plumage

[Brit]

On one morning, Birgit had much luck, as the young Purple Heron landed on ground-level directly in front of her nose, So she was able to admire the various tactics in catching fish. He still was very young and often a little bit clumsy, but when he recognized, that his tries were not successful he changed his tactics:



Please find the complete report here:

Young Purple Heron trying to fish

[Brit]

„Look, what I caught!“ Great, our young Purple Heron caught a big Mullet:



Please find pictures of his efforts and hi menue here:

Young Purple Heron catching prey

[Brit]

One more chapter about the young Purple Heron,- catching a rat



Please finde the photo report here:

Young Purple Heron catching a rat

[Hellem]

Thank you Birgit and Brit! I enjoyed the beautiful Purple Heron fantastic photos and stories

[Brit]

Very welcome, Hellem, it's always a pleasure!

[Brit]

To Birgits biggest joy she discovered the first Mallard-family on a small pond.- end of November!


And because the small ones are so sweet, here are the photos

Mallard chicks at the end of November

[Brit]

Birgit spent three wonderful days at Doñana and came home so happy! Birgits photos might not mirror all the experienced, but she tries.

This Water Pipit she was able to observe, photograph and even film him peacefully. He seemed to feel very well in his winter reservoir.



Please finde the first part of the report here:

Doñana – Partl I – Morning mood

[Brit]

Here follows the 2nd part of Birgits Doñana-report, which tells about Dehesa de Abajo, where the biggest Whitestork colony from Spain is located, where the birds are breeding in trees.



But of course this gorgeous area also is liked by many other birds.

Please find the report here:

Doñana - part II - Dehesa de Abajo

[Brit]

A very special experience was Birgits encounter with this Common Buzzard



How it happened Birgit is telling here:

Doñana - part III An unexpected encounter with a Common Buzzard

[Brit]

Here follows the fourth and last one of Birgits Doñana-report. It tells from the gorgeous Birds-world, which Birgit met on her way to the visitor centre José Antonio Valverde. As for example this colony of Night Herons, which dried their plumage in the first sunbeams:



Please find the complete report here:

Doñana - part IV – On the way to the cisitor centre J.A. Valverde

[Brit]

Last weekend Birgit was at the Salines of Bonanza, where she found already some birds in their wedding plumage, like this Black-tailed Godwit



All other feathered friends please find here:

Salines of Bonanza - 20–22 February 2015

[Brit]

Birgit spent a wonderful Easter weekend at the Salines of Bonanza and the surrounding marsh areas!



At the Salines we did not only meet these Curlew Sandpipers, who took a rest on their long way home, but also an Osprey who contributes significantly to the food chain of the Salines on this morning. Please find the report here:

Salines of Bonanza

[Brit]

And Birgit continues to the wonderful and bird friendly marsh landscapes of the Quadalquivir. The Woodchat shrikes numerously had returned from Africa.



But there was much more to marvel at. Please find the report here:

Marsh landscapes of the Guadalquivir

[Brit]

You won’t believe it, but Birgit is still around :)

Herewith she comes back after many months with the Waders of the Guadalhorce-Mouth



Please find the complete report here:

Waders at the Guadalhorce-Mouth

[Brit]

On the weekend Birgit had been at the Atlantic Ocean and she brought photos along, many photos!

Here first the nice Turnstones


who fight against the flow. Please find the pictures here:

Turnstones fighting against the flow

[Brit]

And here comes the absolute highlight of Birgits terrific weekend:

the general assembly of Waders



Those were such unbelievable beautiful moments, to be able to see these terrific birds, who partly come here from so far away!

Please find the photo report here:

General assembly of Waders