Peter's third attempt

[PeterHG]

And, of course, it's also Little Owl territory

 

277. Little Owl. June, Belchite, Spain

 

[Peter Connan]

Great in-flight Larks, and a beautiful little Owl!

[Kitsafari]

On 5/21/2018 at 5:01 PM, PeterHG said:

228. Tree Sparrow. April, Utrecht. I have the feeling that their numbers are diminishing.

 

 

interesting, given that they are flourishing in my country!

 

i'm a bit late to it, but WOW on the Egyptian vultures and the griffon vultures. 

Edited July 6, 2018 by Kitsafari

[Galana]

A very productive and informative set of Larks. Thekla is confirmed. I always think a Thekla's breast markings are more real 'spots' than streaks.

[PeterHG]

Thanks @Peter Connan, @Kitsafari. And, as always, thank you for your input @Galana. Much appreciated.

[michael-ibk]

Great batch of Lark photos!

[PeterHG]

Thank you @michael-ibk. Always a challenge to tell them apart, but great to see so many different ones in one area.

[PeterHG]

 

277. Booted Eagle.June, Spanish Pyrenees. Vey high up, circling with the vultures, but looking very smaal, in comparison. Cropped heavily.

 

 

 

[PeterHG]

278. Blue Rock Thrush. June, Spanish Pyrenees. A beautiful mountain bird, but the light was pretty bad, unfortunately

 

[PeterHG]

279. Dartford Warbler. June, Spanish Pyrenees. 

 

[PeterHG]

We went out with a local guide for a day. A very good birder and equally goor company. We knew quite a few spots that we couldn't have found without him. Like this one, where he promised a good chance of an Ortolan Bunting. Lifer for me.

 

280. Ortolan Bunting. June, Spanish Pyrenees.

 

[PeterHG]

When the Ortolan Bunting had flown off, we got other company. 

 

281. Alpine Swift. June, Spanish Pyrenees.

 

[PeterHG]

A picnic stop near the river, close to Huesca with our guide delivered yet another lifer. Our guide heard it sing and when he learned that I'd never seen one, we searched the trees, till we found it.

 

282. Western Bonelli's Warbler. June, Spanish Pyrenees.

 

 

 

[Galana]

Excellent findings with your lifers. The guide earned his fee that day.

[PeterHG]

283. Red-billed Chough. June, Spanish Pyrenees. 

 

[PeterHG]

284. Rock Bunting. June, Spanish Pyrenees. Our guide had a good ear for many of the species. He heard the bunting's call, but it took some time before we spotted it in the thicket. Too many twigs in the way, unfortunately.

 

[PeterHG]

The same slope where we found the bunting had a narrow path that, according to our guide, gave access to a sort of ledge where we might see vultures at eye-level or even below us. He thought it would provide a nice photo opportunity. And right he was. I promised some more Griffon Vultures, so here they are (already in the count)

 

 

 

 

[lmSA84]

Beautiful photograph as always! It makes such a difference when you have a guide who knows his class and sights. Glad to see it was such a good trip

[Peter Connan]

Worth the wait for sure! Stunning shots Peter!

[PeterHG]

Thank you @lmSA84, @Peter Connan, @Galana

5 hours ago, Galana said:

The guide earned his fee that day.

He certainly did!

1 hour ago, lmSA84 said:

It makes such a difference when you have a guide who knows his class and sights

It does and we've really never been disappointed when we went out with a local guide.

[Tdgraves]

Wow! That last vulture shot is stunning. Well done! @PeterHG

[xelas]

Oh wow, eye to eye with a Griffon Vulture ... what an experience, Peter!

[PeterHG]

Thanks @Tdgraves @xelas, those are really special moments

[TonyQ]

A lovely lark series - a real identification challenge. Superb Griffon Vulture shots.

[Dave Williams]

Vultures don't look nearly so good on the ground as they do flying. Cracking shots.