Salinas Again

Salinas de San Pedro - 30.4.19

The best time for tern flight shots I've found is early evening in a cloudless blue sky but this evening isn't one of those occasions. Having got some ok shots yesterday I'm keen to try again and improve on the images of yesterday maybe even get that shot where the tern torpedos itself into the water, but thats for another day as its a cloudy evening I'm going to have to make do with some static shots.

As I've said perviously Little Terns breed along some of the mud walls of the pools that divide the salinas, Sandwich and Gull Billed Terns also breed in area but are not accessible to photograph as far as I can see. In order to get any shots its a case of first getting as close possible to a restricted access metal gate without disturbing the terns, positioning the camera lens right up to the bars as the lens is bigger than the gap, which is possible with a "cropper" as the camera sensor only uses the central area of the lens and wait....job done !

With breeding territories already established the occasional squabbles takes place chasing off interlopers that get to close on occasion closer my way which is a bonus. The constant chatter of the females calling encouraging the male tern to bring fish is relentless and one of the shots I'm after but never manage, so rather than the same old static pose to make it a little more interesting I concentrate on some behavioural gymnastics instated.

Periodically the terns take off on mass chasing each other to the other side of the salinas, with the sun now low in the evening sky and increased cloud time to call time.

Click image to view, more to follow...

Little Tern

The Terns Are Back

El Hondo / San Felipe - 27.4.19

Having arrived late on Friday night its the usual meet up at the North Gate at El Hondo Saturday morning, I'm not expecting much with the camera as per usual the birds tend to be all at long range. One thing of note, the reserve has now decided that vehicles are not allowed beyond the entrance gate carpark so anyone contemplating visiting the bottom viewing platform can expect a couple mile walk...hey ho !!

After a lot of walking I'm a little knackered never the less next its San Felipe next to try my luck. No sign of the Little Ringed Plover that's bred in the area of the carpark for the last couple of years that gave me some great images, so onwards. The reserve water levels are high, and I mean really high after last weeks torrential rain so much so that any waders are now all on the surrounding flooded filed miles away, without that aid of a scope I can make out up to fifty Curlew Sandpiper in summer plumage, Dunlin, Ringed/Little Ringed Plover.....time to move on.

Now on the main pools there's not a lot of "action"...ha...I'm beginning to sound like resident GC. A few Whiskered Terns flit about about pick food of the water with acrobatics skills a jet pilot would die for, the usual Red Knobbed Coot lacking those horrendous neck id bands, chattering Great Reed Warblers that always tell me spring has well and truly arrived and some very vocal honking and  squeaking Purple Gallinule.

The last couple of days have finally caught up with me, time to call it a day and head back.

Salinas de San Pedro - 28.4.19

After the last four days of five am starts I've opted to have the morning off instead I'm spending the evening down at the salinas as it doesn't get dark until 9.0 pm and the light two hour before dusk is always pretty good for photography. The plan for this evening is too photograph Little Terns that breed on the mud walls between the salinas with some patience hopefully get some shots as they fish near the cycle path.

A quick scan I can see the Little Terns have arrive from their wintering areas off the west coast of Africa and are busily dive bombing for fish which is offered as part of the pair bonding. I'm sat on the cycle track one eye on the terns and the other making sure I don't get clattered by a bike. My first attempt are hopeless the terns being quicker that I can react, a change of plan is required.......

Work in progress.....

Little Tern

Little Terns Are Back

San Pedro salinas now have terns in residence occupying the tank walls near the first and second car pull-in, birds screeching overhead, hovering and diving catching fish as offerings to their mate.

I'm sat next to the cycle track and for two hours photograph the activities at no more than ten meters which seems to involve incessant calling and areobatics, on occasions the male will tempt its mate with the fish offering but not actually passing the fish, more happy to take off and fly around calling with the fish in its bill playing...catch me.

Click image to view.....

Little Tern