condor1992
Well-known member
Exactly a year ago, I visited a mountain range north of Crevillent to see some interesting wildlife. Managed to see a Bonelli's eagle and migrating short-toed eagle. Today I went again, and little did I know how amazing today's trip would be compared to that.
It took some time getting to the canyon, but once I was there I began waiting and looking around. I didn't have to wait long- a huge bird of prey appeared on the horizon. I thought it was a griffon vulture until I got a look at its long tail and long neck. It was an adult golden eagle passing through Bonelli's eagle airspace. It was too distant for any good photos, unfortunately, but as I watched it glide through the area I thought the Bonelli's would rise up at any moment and confront it. Nothing happened, and the golden eagle was lost in the distance.
As I explored the area, I became aware of an animal making some weird noises nearby. I thought it was a bird, but didn't think too much of it. Choughs were everywhere overhead, some of them looking very eagle-like in the distance, until you caught sight of their long, red bills.
As I went up along a trail, I noticed a woodchat shrike perched very close nearby. It surprised me that they were back so soon, and I began taking photos. Easily the best I have ever taken of this species, which beforehand I knew as quite shy and unhelpful!
Proceeding even further, I stopped, and began to wait. I didn't have to wait long this time. A large bird of prey approached the cliff, and perched on a ledge. It was the Bonelli's eagle. She started preening and ate something quickly before taking off again. As she did so, she passed practically overhead, and at very low altitude.
I was absolutely stunned, and continued taking photos as the eagle slowly cruised into the distance, until it disappeared behind a ridge. Satisfied, I left, my head spinning.
I then heard that animal noise again- it was coming from a half-dry reservoir. I approached, and then identified what it was. Maybe it was the distance in the past, also with dogs barking nonstop in the distance, but now I could clearly hear an incredibly loud croaking sound. I saw some frogs floating about in the water, I thought, Iberian green frog. Wow, they were loud...
It took some time getting to the canyon, but once I was there I began waiting and looking around. I didn't have to wait long- a huge bird of prey appeared on the horizon. I thought it was a griffon vulture until I got a look at its long tail and long neck. It was an adult golden eagle passing through Bonelli's eagle airspace. It was too distant for any good photos, unfortunately, but as I watched it glide through the area I thought the Bonelli's would rise up at any moment and confront it. Nothing happened, and the golden eagle was lost in the distance.
As I explored the area, I became aware of an animal making some weird noises nearby. I thought it was a bird, but didn't think too much of it. Choughs were everywhere overhead, some of them looking very eagle-like in the distance, until you caught sight of their long, red bills.
As I went up along a trail, I noticed a woodchat shrike perched very close nearby. It surprised me that they were back so soon, and I began taking photos. Easily the best I have ever taken of this species, which beforehand I knew as quite shy and unhelpful!
Proceeding even further, I stopped, and began to wait. I didn't have to wait long this time. A large bird of prey approached the cliff, and perched on a ledge. It was the Bonelli's eagle. She started preening and ate something quickly before taking off again. As she did so, she passed practically overhead, and at very low altitude.
I was absolutely stunned, and continued taking photos as the eagle slowly cruised into the distance, until it disappeared behind a ridge. Satisfied, I left, my head spinning.
I then heard that animal noise again- it was coming from a half-dry reservoir. I approached, and then identified what it was. Maybe it was the distance in the past, also with dogs barking nonstop in the distance, but now I could clearly hear an incredibly loud croaking sound. I saw some frogs floating about in the water, I thought, Iberian green frog. Wow, they were loud...
