bird Archives - Page 9 of 13 - Craig Rogers Photography

Algarve Chimney Sunset

9th June 20189th June 2018Craig Rogers

I’ve been craving some good photography light for weeks, this evening, I even got to shoot directly at the sun!

The Algarve is well-known for its decorative chimneys, even more so in the northern hills. It is widely thought that the chimneys were originally designed in the “Moorish” era of Portugal, however, this has recently been proved not to be the case. Anyhow, there are many different designs of chimney and a neighbouring Quinta has an amazing show piece on top of the roof.

Tonight, I was watching the sunset and noticed that it was going to drop behind the chimney. I waited and had to keep readjusting my stance whilst I waited for a House Martin or Swallow to also fly into shot. I was lucky enough to get a House Martin fly through the frame.

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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.

Male Serin

27th March 201827th March 2018Craig Rogers

This is a new first for me, I have never photographed a Serin before. I was awake before sunrise this morning and the forecast was a for a great day, so decided to get my camo kit on and hide in the garden near a dead Oak Tree which has frequent visitors. I missed out on an Iberian Green Woodpecker that landed behind a branch and didn’t stay long enough, but soon after this Male Serin landed and started to sing it’s head off.

When it first landed, from behind the camo net I couldn’t work out if it was a Serin or a Siskin. As I’ve never photographed a Serin before, I was really hoping for one. Then I noticed the lack of a black cap that the Male Siskin has and therefore knew it was a Serin.

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Woodpecker Pecking A Concrete Electricity Pole?

30th January 201830th January 2018Craig Rogers

Woodpecker pecking at a Concrete Post, is it mad? I don’t think so, read on……

Firstly, apologies for the terrible video quality, I was out with the Dog this morning when I heard this and had my phone zoomed on max. You can just about make out the Woodpecker at the very top moving around.

I’ve heard this noise before and knew it was a Woodpecker by the pattern of the noise, but why? My explanation continues below the video

{Remember to watch in HD if possible}

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Iberian/Southern Grey Shrike

26th January 201826th January 2018Craig Rogers

The Iberian (or Southern) Grey Shrike is similar to the Great Grey Shrike, but is a different sub-species. Known as the “Butcher Bird”, the Shrike catches it’s food of insects and Lizards then hangs them on barbed wire fences or other spiked objects to store them as if in a larder.

They are very common here in the hills of the Algarve as are the other Shrike found here, the more colourful Woodchat Shrike.

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First Session In the Oasis Hide

14th November 201714th November 2017Craig Rogers

I settled myself in the new Oasis Hide this morning just before the sun came over the ridge and waited for it to shine down on The Oasis.

I didn’t take long before the Zitting Cisticolas came for breakfast. They look for the bugs inside the Oasis to eat. These tiny birds (around 11cm) seem to sit on the grasses and then jump down to the ground, they do eat Grass Hoppers and Crickets of which are in abundance right now.

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