Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/european-bee-eater/ Species photography guide # European Bee-eater Photography Holidays *Merops apiaster* Explore our European Bee-eater photography holidays in [Spain](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/spain/) & [Hungary](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/hungary/), built around field time with this species during the best seasonal conditions.Our small-group photography holidays prioritise time in the field, light, behaviour, positioning & repeatable photographic opportunities rather than rushed wildlife viewing. [View trips](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/european-bee-eater/#nl-species-trips)[Where](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/european-bee-eater/#nl-species-where)[Field notes](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/european-bee-eater/#nl-species-field-notes)[Related species](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/european-bee-eater/#nl-species-related) ![European Bee-eater photography holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/a-kite-banks-in-flight-above-the-areas-used-for-the-natureslens-eagles-other-birdlife-of-northern-spain-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg) ## At a glance Trips2 associated holidays Where[Hungary](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/hungary/) & [Spain](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/spain/) Led by[David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) & [Ian Roberts](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/ian/) Species profile ## About this species The European Bee-eater is a vibrantly coloured bird belonging to the family Meropidae, recognised by its striking combination of chestnut & yellow upperparts, turquoise-green underparts, and elongated central tail feathers. It is a highly social species that nests colonially in sandy banks and cliffs, often found across southern Europe, Africa, & western Asia. As its name suggests, it feeds predominantly on bees, wasps, & other flying insects, which it catches in acrobatic aerial pursuits. **Habitat** Open countryside with sandy or earthen banks suitable for nesting, including river valleys, cliffs, quarries, & open woodland edges across southern Europe & parts of Africa & Asia. [Species background](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_bee-eater) Where to photograph ## Where our trips feature this species You can photograph European Bee-eater with us in [Hungary](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/hungary/) & [Spain](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/spain/). These departures are part of our [Europe](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/) programme. In the field, [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) & [Ian Roberts](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/ian/) helps guests make the most of these encounters. Field notes ## Photography notes **Best time** Late spring to early summer (May to July) when birds are actively nesting & feeding; early morning light provides the best conditions for vibrant colour rendition. **Approach** Position yourself near known nesting colonies or favoured perching branches to anticipate flight paths and capture birds in action. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/2000s to freeze the rapid wing beats & aerial manoeuvres when birds are hunting. Arrive early to take advantage of warm directional light that will bring out the full richness of the bird's plumage colours. Connected wildlife ## Often seen on the same trips On the trips associated with this species, photographers may also encounter: [Eurasian Hoopoe](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/eurasian-hoopoe/)[Black Kite](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/black-kite/)[Bonelli's Eagle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/bonellis-eagle/)[Common Cuckoo](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/common-cuckoo/)[Common Kingfisher](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/common-kingfisher/)[Egyptian Vulture](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/egyptian-vulture/)[Eurasian Otter](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/eurasian-otter/)[European Ground Squirrel](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/european-ground-squirrel/)[European Roller](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/european-roller/)[Golden Eagle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/golden-eagle/) Available holidays ## Trips featuring European Bee-eater The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article. #### Guide connection David Miles leads trips where guests have the chance to photograph European Bee-eater in the field. [Meet David](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) ![Birdlife of Northern Spain](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/a-kite-banks-in-flight-above-the-areas-used-for-the-natureslens-eagles-other-birdlife-of-northern-spain-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg) #### Related holiday Birdlife of Northern Spain gives guests time in Hungary & Spain where European Bee-eater can be part of the day's wildlife encounters. [View trip](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/spain/birdlife-of-northern-spain/) Route Destination Signature Destination The photography holidays listed below operate in regions & habitats where the European Bee-eater is regularly encountered. As with all wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed, but our itineraries are designed around seasonal behaviour, suitable habitat, & photographic opportunity, giving you the best possible chance of meaningful encounters in the field. Our small-group approach allows time in the field to adapt to conditions, behaviour, & photographic opportunities as they unfold. You can photograph the European Bee-eater in Hungary & Spain. During our photography holidays, the European Bee-eater is often photographed alongside Eurasian Hoopoe, Black Kite, Bonelli’s Eagle, Common Cuckoo, Common Kingfisher, & Egyptian Vulture. Seasonal presence & photographic opportunity vary by location & time of year. Single occupancy Group Size: 5-7 guests Experienced guidance 2 departures - [![Join Us For The Birdlife of Northern Spain Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/a-kite-banks-in-flight-above-the-areas-used-for-the-natureslens-eagles-other-birdlife-of-northern-spain-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/spain/birdlife-of-northern-spain/) ### 11th - 18th Apr 2027 - Birdlife of Northern Spain **Location:** Spain Capture images with us during a wildlife photography holiday in Northern Spain, scheduled for April 2027, focused on mountain, plains & woodland birds. **7 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£2299** Guided By **Ian Roberts** [View Birdlife of Northern Spain](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/spain/birdlife-of-northern-spain/) - [![Join Us For The Wildlife Photography Hides of Hungary Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/a-great-egret-preening-itself-at-one-of-the-ponds-photographed-at-bence-mate-hides-in-hungary-during-a-natureslens-wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/hungary/wildlife-photography-hides-of-hungary/) ### 5th - 12th Jun 2027 - Wildlife Photography Hides of Hungary **Location:** Hungary Join us for a wildlife photography holiday in Hungary, during June 2027, focused on using Bence Máté's purpose-built network of wildlife photography hides for close-range bird & mammal photography. **7 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£4499** Guided By **David Miles** [View Wildlife Photography Hides of Hungary](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/hungary/wildlife-photography-hides-of-hungary/) -