A magic moment

[Colin Key]

Spent the morning at Cabranosa with the guys from SPEA manning the raptor watch-point. Lots of movement of VERY late birds (many hundreds of Griffon Vultures).

Went off-road (VERY off-road) in the Land Rover to look for Dotterel (two reportedly with a huge flock of Golden Plover) but no luck, although I did find the Golden Plover, as well as a remarkable number of Mistle Thrush.

Whilst having my "butty" I realised that there was a Little Bustard (Sisão) about 80 meters away. Window half down and camera at the ready, and slowly repositioned the Land Rover to get the light behind me, and saw a whole flock; I counted 21 on the ground and 28 when they eventually took flight, but spent almost an hour taking shots. I could not get closer than approximately 50 metres, but I have never photgraphed this species before, and this is the largest flock I have seen at Cabo de São Vicente - sheer magic:


http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/0C0J7371.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/Passarinhos/0C0J7371.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/Passarinhos/0C0J7466.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/Passarinhos/0C0J7334.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/Passarinhos/0C0J7390.jpg


Canon 1D Mk3, 500 f/4 + 1.4 TCII

Colin

[Colin Key]

Some problem here with embedding the actual Photobucket URLs for these images. Can't work it out - will try again tomorrow.

Colin

[Dave B]

Wow! Magic indeed! Thanks for sharing!

Dave