Spain 2022 [under construction]
Picture gallery will be slowly updated once I develop more photos.
I spent quite a bit of my vacation time in Spain photographing animals. It was more a wildlife trip than normal sightseeing. Thanks to Skua I was able to photograph vultures and eagles and other small birds. Also fascinating genete. Additionally I spent 3 days with wonderful birds lynx ecotourism in Andalucia, looking for iberian lynx.
Iberian lynx in Andalucia
After absolutely dreadful long drive (over 30 hour car drive from Poland, stops included) to Vilches, where I had booked my room in Casa Marchena, and only few hours of sleep, I met with guide, to start looking for iberian lynx. While lynx can be very elusive, and camouflages well, we have seen a lot of red deers, who were so much more friendly than Polish ones. ;) Also partridges were easy to spot, although less cooperative when it comes to photography, most of the time. On the first day we had our first sighting of lynx - mother and 2 cubs, but from very very far away. That's what you often get, to be honest.
Birds lynx ecotourism provided me with nourishment throughout the day, nice talks during car ride and lots of appreciation for local flora and fauna. I have booked 3 day excursion with them.
Second day was much less exciting, with little happening throughout the day. Only, almost at the end of the day, we had lynx crossing hills not too far away from the road, where we were on the lookout. But it didn't really look at the camera, so shots are fromt he profile.
Since in Spain you cannot cross into someone's property, even if it's just rural area, all the lynx sighting was limited to what you can see from the road. In the end it created fascinating sense of commradery, where people would be on the lookout on different parts of the road and then immediately message one another if the lynx was spotted. Of course you need to speak Spanish to "integrate" with local folks.
After my time with Bird lynx ecotourism, I spent half of the next day in the area on my own, before going to the next place. But I met lots of the same people and lynx was spotted very near!
Alpasin Experiencias Fotográficas
Through Skua I connected with Augustin, who runs Alpasin Experiencias Fotográficas. I have spent a wonderful day visiting 3 (!) different hides in Adamuz region. Early morning was spent with bonelli's eagle and iberian magpies, middle of the day I sat near the water pond with small birds, and the day ended with magnificent golden eagle pair. Augustin's hides are very comfy, well maintained and gives option to also witness iberian lynx if you're lucky.
Skua nature
With Skua I got two amazing day with vultures in Monfrague National Park. Main focus was on griffon vultures and cinereous vultures, with a little time in a middle of the day with small birds and late night session with genete. Genete is really an amazing creature, like a mix of cat and a weasel. I was really happy I was able to see it and photograph it.
