I Finally Make It - 3

Day 3, AM - Masiega

This morning it's a boat ride to a floating hide amongst the reeds on the edge of the main Elguna de El Taray, species to see with luck will be Great/Reed Warbler's, Bearded Tit and various wildfowl cruising passed, but only if you'r very quick.

I'm looking out onto a small "ribbon" flatten reeds which Reed Warblers, Great Reed Warblers and hopefully Bearded Tits are frequenting, but the light's not good enough currently as I'm shooting through tinted glass loosing about a stop of light and using the not so quick RF 100-500mm. 

A reed warbler appears crashing through the reeds it's a Great Reed Warbler, bold and brash due it's size, occasionally the smaller Reed Warbler appears but it's soon sent packing by it's bigger cousin, both visit on a frequent basis with the occasion fly pass including Purple Heron, Ibis and little Bittern. 

Just beyond is a water channel White-headed Duck and Red-crested Pochard cruise passed but the gap in the reeds is so small it's difficult to get advance notice of approaching fowl making it difficult to react quick enough. Finally a male Bearded Tit makes an appearance but it's way to close probably only 1.5m away...missed again. 

With more of the same over the next hour or so it's time to pack up ready for the boat ride back and looking forward to the afternoon session.

El Taray Map

Boat Ride

In order to get to the hide you need to get a boat ride.

Hide View

The flat area where all the action takes place and beyond the water channel where duck cruise pass but it's difficult to get any shot.

Great Reed Warbler

Reed Warbler

Day 3, Pm - La Vega

This afternoon it's Marsh Harriers, again, two a penny as they say !..but slightly different as this time the location is water and hence another boat ride, on route seeing more Purple Heron lurking in the reed fringes.

The afternoon heat is now is in the mid thirties, in the hide the temperature is way over forty degrees and I'm strip off, no shirt or shoes just shorts, sweating profusely. 

It's a long wait as the Harries don't seem interested but when one arrives the others also join in. Soon both male, female and juveniles are present, you can identify juveniles by the brown iris, the adults being yellow.

I'm trying to get behavioural shots where the BOP's mantel and are constantly calling making for a more interesting shot. I finding the whole experience quite fascinating seeing these birds of prey so close, normal only seen in the UK at distance.

It's time to call time and the boat back to terra firm looking forward to the relief of not being in a camped hide for the for the passed tree hours in forty degrees of heat.....oh and try not to drop the kit in the "drink" as you are getting in the boat.

Marsh Harrier