Sunday, June 3, 2012

Rainy Day Post

For today’s rainy day post I’m using up the photographs from May’s Menorca holiday which produced 19 days of sunshine. I’m then binning the remainder of the pictures before everyone complains about Menorca overkill.

Es Grau just 4 miles from the capital of Mahon, is a typical Menorcan fishing village, where 85% of the population are true Menorcans. Close to and part of the village is the Nature Reserve of S’Albufera, an area ideal for walkers and where a typical selection of May birds can be found if you try hard enough. Here’s a selection of pictures from Es Grau with minimal comment from me.

Carrer D'Es Pescadors, Fisherman's Street - Es Grau

There were masses of Spotted Flycatchers in early May, one decided to fly off just as I clicked the shutter button, making for a weird shot.

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher

Audouin’s Gulls are fairly commonplace in coastal locations like Es Grau while Yellow-legged Gulls are more numerous both on the coast and inland.

Yellow-legged Gull

Audouin's Gull

Audouin's Gull

 I think the creature below is known as a Beautiful Damselfly.

Beautiful Damselfly 

Es Grau, Menorca

Like many of the heron family Purple Herons can be very shy, usually taking off long before you spot them skulking in the reeds where their stripy appearance makes them blend in. Little Egrets can often be more confiding.

Purple Heron
 
Little Egret

There’s a viewpoint just outside the village where birds of prey circle on the thermals and Bee Eaters feed on high, so high that sometimes they can barely be seen but their liquid calls make you look up for their whereabouts. Click on the xeno-canto button to be transported to the Mediterranean.

Bee Eater

Red Kite

Booted Eagle

Coots and many other species were feeding young in early May.

Coot

Es Grau

Es Grau 

That's all for today folks, let's hope the weather improves soon to something like that of the Mediterranean. 

15 comments:

Laura said...

some beautiful birds you've caught with your camera!

eileeninmd said...

How could someone complain about seeing these wonderful shots of Menorca. It is a beautiful place and I enjoyed seeing all the different birds and the scenery. Some of my favorites were the shot of the Spotted Flycatcher and the Bee Eater. Very nice!

Carole M. said...

the spotted flycatcher is my fave' but all your photography is beautiful; keep on sharing!

Gail Dixon said...

Those coot chicks are so interesting! I love that 2nd flycatcher photo. What a great moment!

RobertN said...

Beautiful series! Have a nice week!

Millhouse Photography said...

I love the Booted Eagle Phil - I saw a good few of those a couple of years ago in Spain.

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I'm speachless!
Greetings from Romania!

Choy Wai Mun said...

A great collection, Phil! Especially, the flight off shot of the Flycather.

Stuart Price said...

Nice Bee-eater BIF!

news said...

Hi Phil: can never be O/kill of your pics or commentaries All the best JWB.

news said...

Hi Phil: can never be O/kill of your pics or commentaries All the best JWB.

NatureStop said...

I love the bee-eater in flight and the 2nd shot of the Spotted Flycatcher.Have a great day!

Shantana

TexWisGirl said...

the wing shot of the flycatcher is awesome! your bee eater is wonderful, too!!!

Karen said...

Such a variety! Great shots, and I love the Bee Eater.

Springman said...

I love the symmetry of the flycatcher taking flights. What great joy there is in such happy accidents!
;-)WBW!

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