A Rocha Archives - Craig Rogers Photography

Update On The Local European Bee-Eaters

22nd May 201922nd May 2019Craig Rogers

You may think that I’ve gone a bit quiet on the local Bee-Eater colony, but I am still keeping an eye on them, however, I’m leaving them in peace to finish off their nesting tunnels before I spend more time amongst them.

This afternoon I was working on something new at “A Rocha”, an area on top of a large rocky lump that I leave to the wildlife. I have spotted some Rock Buntings and I’m planning some shots so was setting a nice scene around a small water pond I built some time ago. The Bee-Eaters were all around hunting and I wondered why they didn’t seem too bothered about my presence. I moved a little closer to a spot where I can over look a tree they usually rest on and they didn’t seem bothered at all that I was there. I was standing in direct view and they happily carried on with their activities. This is a great afternoon spot for watching and photographing them, so will plan a session here in the near future. I think they have almost finished their tunnels now and will soon be moving in and I’m looking forward to getting close up to them.

Although I was close, I was only armed with my 80-400mm so was a little short on reach, but at least I got these shots to show how great an angle it is!

The Bee Eater Colony Are Still Here!

16th May 201816th May 2018Craig Rogers

I have been getting quietly worried over the last few days as I have not seen or heard the local Bee Eater colony. The last time I saw them was Friday which was 5 days ago!

However, today they actually spent most of the day around the garden and even relaxing down on “A Rocha”. I always have my Nikon D7100 (Crop Camera) to hand with the 80-400mm lens so that I can grab it for record shots. So here is a few I took without even having to change out of my slippers! We are so lucky to have these around the garden. I’m not sure where they are nest building this year, so this is maybe why I have not seen them for a while.

European Bee Eater Flying Around The Garden

Morning Dog Walk: Rock Bunting On “The Rock”

2nd May 20186th May 2018Craig 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.

This morning, although I saw a lot of birds, I didn’t manage to photograph anything, probably down to the after effects of the local Labour Day (1st May) celebrations yesterday!

However, on the way back past “A Rocha” I saw a pair of birds hopping along the exposed rock almost perfectly blending in. I managed to quickly get a shot of this one before it took cover in the Esteva plants. It was a Rock Bunting, this is a new sighting for me, first time I’ve seen one. They are resident all year round here in the Algarve and as the name suggests prefer the rocky terrain that the Algarve Serra has to offer. Difficult to tell from the photo, but I suspect this is a male due to the black definition on the head. The females are usually a litter duller.

Morning Dog Walk: Exotics, Swarms and That Duck!

22nd April 20186th May 2018Craig Rogers

As I was heading down past “A Rocha” this morning, I heard a flock of Common Waxbills. As soon as they saw an energetic Dog running towards them, they took cover but I did manage to snap these two in our Pear Trees.

“A Rocha” Part 1: The Beginning

21st April 201822nd April 2018Craig Rogers

At the Quinta we have small piece of land we call “A Rocha” (Portuguese for “The Rock”) and as the name suggests it’s a small rocky lump. It is outside the fire boundary so we have left it to nature with mainly Esteva and a small collection of Oak Trees.

Today’s light was terrible for photography (as you can see in the photos from my phone) so I made use of the time to scout for an area to use as some hide locations, “A Rocha” was decided upon. You may remember reading about the Oasis Hide, this is still in place, however, its more suitable for late summer and autumn when there is little vegetation growing.

I found an area that has great sunrise and morning Golden Hour exposure and set to work clearing it. The photo is looking with the sunrise area behind. The area is quite open and is suitable for sunrise whatever the season.

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