Bird photography in Spain

Last September Nina and I were traveling through Spain and Portugal. The Iberian Peninsula is known to be one of the migration routes for birds from Europe to Africa. Equiped with a Nikon D500 and a Nikkor 200-500 lens I was ready to make some good shots.

The most spectacular birds that were on my list were not hard to find. Only 100 kilometres out of Madrid we pulled over to watch large flocks of vultures and other birds of prey.

Cinerous Vulture

Red Kite

Griffon Vulture

Vultures are threatened in Europe (and worldwide) and are occasionally fed in Spain to improve the surviving chances of the species. Of course kadavers that are left for vultures also attract other feeders. On the same spot we encountered Golden Eagle, Osprey, Booted Eagle and the Common Buzzard.

We traveled further up north to look for brown bears but without luck. The scenery was beautiful though.