lmSA84 - Big Year 2018 (Part Deux)

[lmSA84]

On 4/20/2018 at 2:51 PM, TonyQ said:

Shame about the Cyprus Warbler - the Sardinian is a pretty bird though.

 

Don't worry @TonyQ - they're still around but frustratingly wouldn't come close for a photo. 

 

134. Cyprus Warbler, Cyprus, April

 

These little guys are one of two endemic species to the island (the other is the Cyprus Wheatear). The island then has four endemic sub species. Of these I only saw the warbler.

 

[lmSA84]

135. Zitting Cisticola, Cyprus, April

 

[lmSA84]

These guys don't count because they were already seen in Oman but they were so common in Cyprus that I thought I had to include them.

 

[lmSA84]

136. Great Reed Warbler, Cyprus, April

 

Another lifer

 

[elefromoz]

@lmSA84, really nice Crake photos, in fact they're all really nice, can almost hear that Robin singing

[Dave Williams]

My birding pal was in Cyprus at a similar time to you, he and his wife stay somewhere around Paphos and they are already decided on a third return running next spring too.He said there were some excellent photo opportunities of migrating species.

[lmSA84]

@Dave Williams - I've only done the one trip but it seemed excellent. At the same spot where we saw the Baillon's Crake they also recently had Small and Spotted Crake. The Paphos area also had a couple of vagrants including Cream-coloured Courser and Caspian Plover

[lmSA84]

137. Black Francolin, Cyprus, April

 

You hear these guys calling everywhere you go but given they are locally hunted it's not easy to get close.

 

Edited April 23, 2018 by lmSA84

[lmSA84]

138. Ortolan Bunting, Cyprus, April

 

[lmSA84]

139. Isabelline Wheatear, Cyprus, April

 

[lmSA84]

140. Barn Swallow, Cyprus, April

 

[lmSA84]

141. Greenfinch, Cyprus, April

 

 

[lmSA84]

142. Spanish Sparrow, Cyprus, April

 

[lmSA84]

143. Northern Wheatear, Cyprus, April

 

[lmSA84]

144. Yellow-legged Gull, Cyprus, April

 

[lmSA84]

@PeterHG - did a wonderful job explaining the way to perfect the EBC but really Peter is too good a photographer to master the art in the same way that a committed EBCist such as myself can. I present to you below my latest portfolio.

 

145. Great Spotted Cuckoo, Cyprus, April

 

 

146. European Roller, Cyprus, April

 

A trick for all you aspiring EBCists is to wait for the bird to look the other way. It know it can take a while but be patient and you'll be rewarded.

 

 

147. Purple Heron, Cyprus, April

 

 

148. Woodchat Shrike, Cyprus, April

 

Another tip - heat haze is your friend

 

 

149. Red-throated Pipit, Cyprus, April

 

 

 

 

[xelas]

@lmSA84, #149 must be disqualified from the EBC competition as it does not  shows any of the needed EBC qualities !!

[PeterHG]

 Glad your portfolio started off with a Cuckoo as well! You did manage to see and grab some great species in Cyprus. To me, the Red-throtated Pipit would be the most special and I have to agree with @xelas on that one...

[Galana]

More great tips on becoming a graduate EBC. That Roller is very worthy of a gold star.

[Kitsafari]

Great tips on how to get the perfect EBCs. I think im pretty close to graduating with first class honours.

 

 

[lmSA84]

It's great to see that we're all so committed to our EBC art. I think that next time that @xelas - has an exhibition we'll have to rent the exhibition room next to his and display our wares  - minus the red-throated pipit that ruined my portfolio

[lmSA84]

Last of the Cyprus offerings

 

150. Common Kestrel, Cyprus, April

 

 

151. Western Marsh Harrier, Cyprus, April

 

We did also see Hen Harrier (a lifer but sadly no photos).

 

[Dave Williams]

Great stuff, nice to have a laugh along the way, that's what makes the BY threads special. 

[elefromoz]

@lmSA84I actually kinda like this, a bit of a Monet-ish/esque feel...

[Galana]

5 hours ago, elefromoz said:

@lmSA84I actually kinda like this, a bit of a Monet-ish/esque feel...

So do I now that you mention it. So much nicer than some of my Picasso impressions.