Spain

A number of years ago, I was in Barcelona for a week for work. I took advantage of the opportunity, to do a little bird photography, hoping to get species that I’ve never seen before. To maximize my chances while I was there, I hired a local guide to take me out into the Spanish countryside to see as much as we could in a day.

One of my first observations is that birds seemed much more skittish than those I’m used to photographing in the US. I’m not sure why, but it definitely made approaching more difficult. I was happy to have my 800mm telephoto, which at least gave me something to work with. This rock bunting stayed around long enough to get reasonably close, but still flushed before my desired distance.

Two white storks stand in a large nest, Barcelona, Spain.

Working a wetland area afforded better opportunities, as the birds here seemed to feel more comfortable. These two white storks seemed totally comfortable with our presence, and gave me many different looks while standing in their nest.

A little owl hides among a rock pile, Barcelona, Spain.

Catching photos of an owl was a direct result of hiring a local guide. He knew the area well and was up to date with all the latest sightings and locations. This little owl was nesting deep within a rock pile, but we lucked out and were able to see him hunkered down on top of the rocks in the afternoon sun. It reminded me of the burrowing owls that populate much of California.

A eurasian marsh-harrier flies low over a marshland, Barcelona, Spain.

I had a few opportunities to try my hand at birds in flight. Slow, gliding birds of prey can sometimes make easier targets, and this marsh-harrier certainly obliged.

A crested lark sits at the edge of a field, Barcelona, Spain.

Near the end of our long day, we happened upon several crested lark in the late evening sun. Again, not as close as I’d normally shoot portraits of birds, but at least the lighting was pleasant.

A long-eared owl hides in the canopy of a fig tree, Barcelona, Spain.

We ended the day in a small town in the countryside. My guide knew of a couple of fig trees just off the town square that hosted resident long-eared owls. After a short wait, one of them popped his head out from between leaves and checked us out.

Overall it was a long day with lots of driving, but a great opportunity and an experience I’ll not soon forget. It reinforced the value of hiring a guide, especially given my time was short and I was in an unfamiliar location.

As I rounded the bend in a trail in Parc de l’Oreneta in Barcelona, I drew an audible gasp, my eyes widening in surprise. There on the ground about 30 yards in front of me was a hoopoe, digging through dead leaves and tree litter looking for his morning meal. I had been looking for this bird for the last five years, and finally, here it was quite unexpectedly in front of me! Having decorated the cover of a “birds of the world” guide on my bookshelf, the hoopoe’s beautiful feather characteristics caught my eye. Ever since, I have been hoping to photograph one in the wild. I searched for one in both Africa and India, but to no avail. For some reason, it didn’t even make my radar for target birds on this trip to Spain, yet here it was on a quiet Saturday morning in a city park.

A Eurasian hoopoe hunts through the grass for a morning snack, Parc de l’Oreneta, Barcelona, Spain.

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Unfortunately, my stalking skills could not overcome this bird’s awareness, and it flew off before I could get better than distant identifying shots. No matter – I was thrilled to know this species was here, and I planned to be back in the park bright and early the next morning.

The next morning, I spent some time in an open clearing, hoping to get a hoopoe perched in the rising sun. After about an hour of searching and waiting (meanwhile photographing the many monk parakeets that dotted the trees), I decided to move into the forested part of the park. Knowing the hoopoe is a ground feeder, I picked a primitive trail, hoping to stay away from morning joggers along the larger gravel and dirt roads. The ground sloped uphill to the left of the trail, and that is where I focused my search. Soon, the rustling of leaves alerted me to a hoopoe poking through forest detritus scattered along the hillside.

A Eurasian hoopoe perches on a stout branch, Parc de l’Oreneta, Barcelona, Spain.

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As I moved closer, it flushed to a nearby tree branch. I was able to get some safety shots of the hoopoe, but it was still skittish and constantly scanning its surroundings. I knew I should not get closer, and had to try a completely different approach. I moved further down the trail, then straight up the hill through the forest, lugging my 13 pound camera rig over my shoulder. Now I was able to move down the hill toward the hoopoe from a different direction. It had moved from the first branch, but looked much more relaxed in its second perch.

A Eurasian hoopoe perches on a stout branch, Parc de l’Oreneta, Barcelona, Spain.

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I was able to create some wonderful portraits with a relaxed hoopoe in full view. However, I didn’t yet have the iconic hoopoe shot that I was after. With my heart beating in my chest, I slowed my breath and waited. After several minutes, the bird finally stretched out its wing as it prepared for a nap on the branch.

Stretching a wing, a Eurasian hoopoe displays its beautiful crest plumage, Parc de l’Oreneta, Barcelona, Spain.

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With the stretch came that amazing crest of feathers along the top of its head. My shutter fired and I knew I had the shot I had spend 5 years hoping for.

Gear I used to create the photos in this post:

Category: Spain

Spanish Countryside

Hopin’ For Hoopoes