Golden Eagle at Extremadura

Extremadura, in western Spain near the Portuguese border, remains one of the country's least developed and most sparsely populated regions, its landscape shaped by the dehesa, an ancient, low-intensity agricultural system of open holm oak woodland. This open, uncluttered terrain gives photographers clear sightlines for tracking Golden Eagles as they range over the countryside. Visiting in April, as part of the Birds of Extremadura holiday, offers the best opportunity to catch these eagles against the dehesa landscape. It's a rewarding combination of raw, undeveloped scenery and a genuine chance at capturing one of Europe's most powerful raptors in its element.