bee-eater Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Craig Rogers Photography

The European Bee-Eaters Have Started To Dig Their Tunnels

13th April 201913th April 2019Craig Rogers

I was out just after sunrise this morning and hidden near the “meeting tree” that the Bee-Eaters have been gathering in. However, today, they chose another tree about 50 meters away. I waited for a while and eventually one pair turned up and got the shot below.

Afterwards I was able to walk away and get a good look at them, they have started to build their tunnels in preparation for breeding. In case you don’t know Bee-Eaters dig tunnels in near-vertical banks that they nest in and build new tunnels every year (see video below).

Luckily, the land on overlooking this area I where they are building we own and although extremely difficult to get to I will be looking in a way to get closer. Here is a shot that I did manage to get.

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How To Tell The Difference Between Male & Female European Bee-Eaters

5th April 20196th May 2022Craig Rogers

As it’s the time of year that we all go crazy because of the return of the European Bee-Eaters, some maybe wondering how you tell the difference between male and females.

Well, out in the field it’s tricky, both look similar and are of a similar size but there is an easy way to tell the difference;

Using a photo I took from last year below, the female is on the left and male is on the right. Can you spot the difference? Answer is below the photo.

Morning Dog Walk: Swallow Nest, Bee Eaters & My Tarantula Is Possibly Dead!

2nd April 20192nd April 2019Craig Rogers

I take a camera along on my Dog Walks to bring you some of the sightings that I see on my morning walks, these photos are rarely going to be great quality as its hard enough keeping an energetic Dog entertained and get close enough to anything. They also help me identify where species are so that I can plan to return.

The area was covered in thick mist this morning but I still decided to take the camera along and I took a stop at an old Well to check if the Barn Swallows had started to use the nest.

IMPORTANT! – It’s never a good idea to approach a nesting bird but in this instance I used the camera’s Live-View with the screen tilted so that I didn’t actually look over the edge of the well!

I pointed the camera like a periscope over the edge of the well and captured this shot of a Swallow already sitting on the nest. It’s both genius and dangerous for them to build this nest here. Of course, no predator can get to the nest, but if the nest falls off it will drop into the water or if a baby falls, it’s going to drown. Of course, when the young fledge, it will be a difficult flight too. This is the 2nd year, they have nested here, so maybe they know what they are doing.

I Couldn’t Resist When I Heard Them Close To The House!

31st March 201931st March 2019Craig Rogers

I was in my studio processing some images and I could hear the Bee-Eaters were close to the house, I couldn’t resist. It is really overcast and rainy today and although the light levels are low, I knew that the Bee-Eaters would be more visible. In direct daylight it is often difficult to see the colouring of them so I grabbed the camera to bring you a few shots. Ok, they are not great, but some shots nonetheless.

As Featured In “Enjoy The Algarve” Online Magazine

1st August 20181st August 2018Craig Rogers

I have appeared briefly in the online magazine, Enjoy The Algarve before. It was a photo of the White Storks fighting in Silves. This made up part of a feature about taking photos whilst on holiday in the Algarve.

I was delighted when Yayeri (Editor of Enjoy The Algarve) asked if she could use one of my Bee Eater photos in her “Picture Perfect” feature. The photo was from a session I had back April.

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Morning Dog Walk

19th April 20186th May 2018Craig Rogers

Every morning (unless I’m out photographing) I take Wally for his morning walk, we usually head down to the river to look for anything interesting and then play in an open area. Now that spring is most definitely under way, I’ve decided to take a camera. It’s difficult to juggle the attentions of a mad dog and carry a camera, therefore, I use my crop camera (Nikon D7100) fitted with the Nikon AF-S 80-400 VRII for size and weight. The idea of the photos is not great quality, but just to report back on sightings in the area.

Today was a pleasant surprise all happening within 500 meters of the house! European Bee Eaters, Short Toed Eagles and I could also hear a Golden Oriole (unless it was a Starling which has been mimicking one all winter!)

First up, the European Bee Eaters. The local colony returned yesterday and are now busy flying around catching food, they will be selecting a nesting site soon and I am monitoring their movements closely. Expect many Bee Eater posts this summer.