Today I would like to present you a special series: As already indicated in the first part, I had a bit of luck on my side. Many places and breeding grounds that I had already explored in previous years worked this year. Three of my absolute favourite species were very cooperative: the kite, the hoopoe and the red-headed shrike. For me, these birds have several things in common:
- You see them frequently every day, especially if you are travelling in the south of Mallorca: for example, I have only very rarely driven the longer road to Cap Ses Salines without seeing all three species (plus red grousees) at once
- As often as you see them, it's difficult to photograph them at close range, especially in the last light
- They are very busy and always on the lookout for prey - hoopoes and red-headed shrikes in particular frequently change their perches and are always looking for food on the ground
- It's really great to watch them up close, which is why they are my superstars 😉
Being able to photograph the red-headed shrike from a good distance was a particular highlight for me. I have known three small habitats for years now, and they are not large either. However, in the past the birds were usually very shy. And the birds are just 18cm tall, so 30m, for example, is not enough for good photos
But one individual got used to me over the 10 days and accepted me in some situations. I was actually able to approach it slowly (without camouflage), slightly offset at an angle. And at least to a decent photo distance. So I was finally able to bring back a handful of pictures of these great animals after years of trying.
My second highlight was the hoopoe: for the first time I had the opportunity to take photos at a breeding den, which was a great experience. I had already planned this with Gil (his website) last year. And he helped me with this project, because again I had a lot of ideas and requirements regarding the perspective, photo distance and background 😀 I also looked for the nesting branches myself, which took me some time this year - I like it when nesting branches run in both diagonals of the lower picture and that's not easy to find.... In the south, however, there are always dead almond trees on roadsides whose bent branches have broken off, so there are lots of lichens and mosses growing on them. Thanks to Gil for the support and his little portable camouflage hut 👍
I was able to take a photo of the two kites on his beautiful plot of land. Up there, it reminds me a little of the wine-growing areas of the Palatinate, a perfect habitat for many bird species and a really beautiful place.
I've picked out my top 20 pictures for you and hope you enjoy my "superstars" 😉
Many greetings,
Thomas
I hope you enjoyed the series 🖐