As previously mentioned, bird photography in Spain can be quite challenging. Most wild birds are very skittish. All of the bird photos I have already posted were taken in the wild, but the photos were few and difficult to obtain!
As a result, there are a number of locations around the country where you can rent a photography blind (or hide as they say in Europe). The blinds usually have a water feature or small pond, photogenic perches, a supply of bird food, and are positioned for either morning or afternoon light. When the birds come to you the photos are much easier!
One of these is Hides Navarra, owned by brothers Eduardo and Fernando. They have at least seven different blinds in the Navarra area in Northern Spain, (with more planned!) all within a few minutes of the town of Lumbier.
Over the course of two days in early July, I spent sessions in four different blinds. The blinds did not disappoint, with a variety of birds coming to investigate the water and food.
Eduardo chose the blinds for me, to maximize the variety of birds that I might see.
Over the next two weeks I'll be posting many shots taken at these blinds.
It's amazing how many of the birds I photographed had the words European or Eurasian in their names. Here are two:
The European Serin is found throughout most of Europe and is common is cities, parks, and forest edges:
The European Goldfinch is far different in appearance from any of our North American goldfinches, only having a patch of gold on the wing.
They share an affinity for thistles, however. During my time in Spain I heard far more of these birds than I saw, but this one obliged with a close approach to the blind:
p.s.: If you wish to contact Hides Navarra, use the phone or WhatsApp numbers on their website, not the contact form.
