Nature & Wildlife Photography Holidays & Tours - All Financially Protected
Search
Nature & Wildlife Photography Holidays & Tours - All Financially Protected
Search

Dan reports in from our Spanish Bird Photography Holiday

By David Miles on August 7, 2017

One of Caleras Bustards at sunrise image captured during a NaturesLens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday

Written by

This was my second year leading a group for NaturesLens on their Spanish Bird Photography Holiday that is focussed around the fantastic hides in Calera & once again they did not disappoint.

The stars of this area in are the bustards & the black-winged kite but when ‘s more common but still wonderful & colourful birds are also on your doorstep there’s really nothing not to like – add in some paella, sunshine & a few beers & I’m happy!

This year I had the chance to photograph a few species I missed last year. Starting with the charismatic little owl! I’ll share the others in my second blog but for now just look at those eyes…

A Little Owl Poses In The Spanish Olive Grove Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday On The Ground, A Little Owl Attempts To Out Stare The Camera Lens Grove Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday Nestled In The Trees Within The Olive Grove, The Little Owls Make Their Nests Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday

This year Spring was much more advanced when compared to last year; this meant the bee-eaters were already digging away, courting, & mating by the time we arrived – a colony never fails to impress!

They became a firm favourite with the guests on the holiday & were a great way to spend the afternoons on the Spanish plains.

Tossing An Insect, This European Bee Eater Demonstrates It'S Agility Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday Demonstrating The Classic Food Pass, This Pair Of European Bee Eaters Are Entranced With One And Other Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday Of Course, When We Visit, Many Of The Species, Such As This Pair Of European Bee Eaters, Are At The Height Of Their Mating Season Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday One Of The Solo Bee Eaters Perches Awaiting The Return Of It'S Mate Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday

The bustards were putting on a good show too, with a large group of lekking males making their rounds on the short grazed fields. Great fun to watch from the hide, massive & really impressive birds!

On The Plains, The Bustards Are King Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday A Pair Of Bustards Stride, Gathering Their Harem Of Females As They Do So Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday One Of Calera'S Bustards At Sunrise Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday

Their smaller (but still rather large!) cousins, the little bustards, also put in an appearance & whilst waiting for the famous jumping display I took some photos as they scratched away & scurried amongst the arable fields. Unfortunately, the jumping display evaded me again!

A Highlight For Many During The Holiday, Is The Chirping And Jumping Of The Little Bustard Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday The Little Bustards Are Early Risers, Often Seen In The Blue Of The Dawn Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday

I’ll finish this first part of my report with some photos from one of my favourite hides for Spanish Bird photography at this location, the lake hide!

It’s great; you’re there, laying on a comfy mat at water level with waders feeding around you. The sun gets lower & the light gets better & better, just brilliant …

Low Level Photography From The Shoreline Hide Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday The Afternoon Sessions At The Shoreline Hide Are Often Bathed In A Glorious Light Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday Reflection Shots Are More Than Achievable At The Shoreline Hide On A Small Water Body In Calera Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday The Shore Line Hide Sees You Laying On A Comfy Mat At Water Level With Waders Feeding Around You Image Captured During A Natureslens Spanish Bird Photography Holiday

WOULD YOU LIKE TO UNDERTAKE SOME SPANISH BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY FOR YOURSELF IN 2018?

For 2018, NaturesLens have already planned a duo of Spanish Bird Photography Holidays that can be joined together to form one seamless opportunity to add a plethora of photos of the birds of to your portfolio – or you can attend the separate events individually – the two events are the Spanish Raptors Photography Holiday followed the next week by Spanish Birds of Calera Photography Holiday.

Starting with the Spanish Raptors Photography Holiday during mid-April – specifically starting on April 13 & ending on April 20, 2018 – to be led by Sean Weekly for NaturesLens, then the amazing Spanish Birds of Calera Photography Holiday starts on April 21 & ends on April 29, 2018, this trip is being led by … Sean Weekly … so you’ll have his company, photographic tuition & guidance for the whole fortnight.