I was fortunate to be invited and driven around in the vast area of the saltpans of Puerto Real, to which a major part's access is restricted. We observed thousands of birds, but due to the nature of this habitat, photographing them is quite difficult. Fortunately some wader birds didn't seem to be bothered by the presence of a car and allowed us to get relatively close.
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| A Kentish Plover chick |
The stars of the evening were without a doubt the ever cute Kentish Plover chicks, taking their first steps into adulthood, thereby accompanied by their parents.
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| Kentish Plover chick running under its father's supervision |
It is amazing to see how brave these little creatures are, despite their tiny size. I caught one on camera crossing a shallow canal in a successful attempt to reach the other side to find safe shelter.
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| Pure bravery |
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| Running to safety! |
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| Already independently foraging |
Apart from Kentish Plovers we saw huge flocks of Greater Flamingos, White Storks and Glossy Ibis, the latter flying in spectacular V-formations each containing over two hundred individuals, just before dusk.
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| Greater Flamingos with the Constitution Bridge in the background |
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| Some members of the huge flock of White Storks ready to spend the night in this quiet and safe place |
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| A yellow-legged Gull photobombing a Greater Flamingo group portrait |
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| Juvenile Collared Pratincole |
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| Little Tern |
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| Common Redshank |
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| Black-tailed Godwit |
Usually the sunset makes for spectacular photos in summer, but today the haze made that impossible. I should go back soon.
Happy birding,
Celia.
