On Saturday April 9, enjoyed a session of Bustards but almost, almost went out of obligation. I say this because, despite the day-time program with input to the hides on weekends (when most defendants are) and when full was insured in the last minute (the day before and for various reasons, including was the previous success) was taken down no fewer than four photographers, and no material time to warn anyone or almost anyone, whether for reasons of distance and plans of each, I was in the "quasi-obligation" to make a entry, along with two good friends that by itself was fairly close feasible warn within hours. Still, it was a hide-free.
As always I go, I'm going to hide or leave the others free (if you have preferences) or to last accessed after leaving the others on a journey as short as possible. And this time I was the only hide that had been used.
male portrait. 500 mm. + 1.4 and a 20% cut to trim.
After the early start for the round trip at night, access to the various hides in total darkness, I had to enter the mine. The route took me forever, and I believe not only by the distance ( the farthest of all) but have previously had to accompany the others, and, of course, by the doubts that assail you on the suitability of the site, so hasty entry without having had time to ripen, the obsession access to hide in total darkness, the things you leave undone to spend 15 hours uncertain in less than two square meters, ...
Finally at 6:45 he was in the hide. I left things scattered on the floor anyway, I sat in the chair and following the rules of not turning on lights, closed my eyes and tried to relax until the first light of day let me make the team. Sleep, impossible, of course. And everything comes in around 7:40, half an hour before sunrise, I could see something and I got to work organizing the space and setting up camera and telephoto lens on a tripod. Frequently ask me which window to use at first, and my answer is always the same: I do not use any, and amount of camera and TV, and I leave on a tripod waiting for whatever comes, a small hole in each window to look good all around, and when you see a bustard come there will be time to use the window that is, that if ever get the TV to focus directly to a bird that approaches; best waiting for the lateral that will happen. Macho
on full display, and female to yours ... quite common.
waiting begins. Das a mental to a lot of things: family, work, things still to do, projects, successes, failures, Fukushima, Garona, Almaráz ... Better something more positive: your family, that is another day without you. You better already! Hombreeeee, I said more positive: your children, and in college and high school respectively, but if it seems like only yesterday learned to walk. If you were a matchlocks when we began this adventure of the hides and even came to you during the long hours of observing how time flies! View stone walls hide, window frames, the crowd of several interlocking stones with mortar, sometimes without, the gate (by the way, this year we stole two before you start the season) mules go out there! Many memories of the days when we built the hides, the improvements were gradually doing the good and bad times within the past few. Over time companies and individuals are emerging that offer hides for different species, and some offer a comfort worthy of praise, it was not the situation 14 years ago when some crazy of a conservation partnership began this adventure. It is clear that comparisons are not valid on todo si se refieren a hides de especies en medios forestales o de montaña, donde es posible camuflarlos más fácilmente entre la vegetación o entre rocas; aquí el espacio es totalmente abierto y el único camuflaje lo suponían pequeñas edificaciones de piedra en forma de media luna, que construyeron antaño los pastores para protegerse de las inclemencias del tiempo. En su día pensamos que con cerrar el semicírculo se podrían conseguir grandes aproximaciones,… y estábamos en lo cierto. Luego se probó con un hide de madera y más tarde con otro, y finalmente otro más, que sumados a los 4 de piedra hacen un total de 7 las plazas disponibles. Las dimensiones de unos y otros, aun siendo suficientemente loose for one person, can not luxuries, nor pretend .... As a precursor to this activity and the same director, I understand that the important thing is to fulfill its mission, and this is done to perfection. What good would the estate if not work for the photograph of bustards, or if the results were mediocre? In addition, to include accessories like a chemical toilet should be kept growing, and so would no longer unnoticed. Because what is clear is that on the outside are fully integrated into the environment. If we add that inside give shelter, protection from the rain, have windows in all directions, and work very well why ask for more? If sometimes even hosting their own fauna, I mean the lizard which lived throughout the day how many photographers have met here many of your dreams! It is obvious that not all who came, but the vast majority, yes. On the other hand from the beginning our interests have not been nor business but conservationists, and therefore the funds collected are shared with the cattle (we understand that conservation must be based on who is closest species, and that conservation per se does not work without an economic incentive) using the rest in various conservation projects, among which would include the study of birds in wire accident and power lines (which mostly affects Avutardas) or the conservation of other birds such as Montagu's Harrier, Lesser Kestrel or the ratchet. Macho
chasing female.
's almost 9:30, when I set out for some breakfast. Lots of movement (more than 50 different Avutardas) but all afar off at least 300 meters. Only two or three frames ended at dawn. I start to eat the jar. Look, if I do nothing all day. I reassured myself, are many hours ahead, sure that over a day passes cer ... .. shit milk, but if you're here! Approaching the first male in close proximity. We hope by the side which is addressed properly. I can not get the frame in any way. I have the 500 plus 1.4, and I have not had time to take it off. It is the same, try some portraits; passes quickly, but some will. It gives me time to do 19 pictures, frame by frame, peacefully. No bursts. Missing the angle could try switching window, but also the risk that I see, would be slightly turned, and is no longer the same. I let it go and look at the pictures. Well, at least we have killed the bug. Since we're not empty.
Female.
10:09. A group of females was directed toward me, and a male pursues the further behind. I go through the west side (in good light), I prepared to wait. Good pics of females, and finally the male, which runs at 10:14 at twenty yards. No day goes wrong. I look around, the No. 2 wood is a male nearby. Congratulations Jesus. Appears another male at 10:19 am following the same route. Well, well.
are 10:39 am when I find a male Bustard less than ten meters by Southwest (good light). I do not know where he came from, because he has done in complete silence. Is eating quietly. I get to take pictures while the lizard begins to climb the rocks and win the ceiling; the touch of her nails with metal roof put on guard to Sison, away gradually. Fuck this stupid,! Well, one should not complain, since the visit of Sison was totally unexpected, was not bad, 12 photos.
11:25. A male making the conference a few meters (I get the impression that little more than 5) of the hide of stone No 2. Daniel has to be enjoying himself. I see the wheel for more than 5 minutes, until it slides into the West, but apparently still there. Therefore it turned out to be 5 meters, but his words no more.
The heat begins to show. The motion ceases at times. Almost just as well, because the light is very hard. It's time to relax a little and rest, but without raising his guard completely.
Since shortly after 10:30 am seeing two males faced and barely move. They spend long hours looking at a few inches, sometimes furious pecks are released and even push to the chest. 14:20 and now is finally starting to move away from each other. Too bad all the time they were at 300 meters.
Macho.
15:51. 2 female Bustard discover approaching. Not too close, just 30 meters, but well despite the strong light. Unable to raise the guard.
17:27. By chance I head up the grass. And the head corresponds to a large male Great Bustard, which appears to be napping at about 50 meters to the east. I do not know how or when he arrived, but there it is. I do not take an eye for when you get up, but do not neglect the area.
17:35. One male approaching the Southeast. It has traces of passing by ... and it does. Light still a little hard, but hey, it's what you get. Passes very slowly, eating small lobsters. I make few pictures I want, it takes about 12 minutes pass.
18:16. The male of the nap gets up and heads towards the hide. In his walk passes by two female little bustard. Thanks to the 200-400 entered three in the same frame. What a difference in sizes!
Female
Sison.
19:05. A male making display (I prefer this name to "wheel", and the reason I stated at the time in my book) about 70 meters to the east. Soon after, another male moves in the same area, as close as 40 meters. Take it easy, eating well, and pays little attention to the females with which it passes. And they to him alone. As might be expected.
19:30. Another male in the east, about 30 meters. Makes an attempt to "display" but leaves it and is closer still. It gets to eat and wander to the northwest.
20:10. Another male at 30 meters from west to east, with the best light of day. I have the hope that the transfer will continue, but this will be the climax, the truth is I can not ask for more. Several gigs, and hopefully some good photo.
The movement continues in the distance, and at 21:35 I leave the hide in almost complete darkness, especially in the absence of moonlight. Once collected and en route we taking stock of the day, which for all has been positive. Those who missed the last moment he lost a great day, but what are you going to do, so it is. Macho
next to one of the hides.
This male approached Sison enough to hide.
Male in full wheel a few feet of another hide.
Macho napping.
bustard male and two females of Sison. The difference in size between cousins \u200b\u200bis considerable.
Great Bustard Group in the vicinity of livestock buildings on the farm. It is obvious that here is not lying to them.
One of my favorite pictures of all time.
