The migration of Griffon Vultures

In November at the Strait of Gibraltar a very singular and spectacular event takes place: the migration of the Griffon Vultures. These birds are large and heavy and they are not made to fly over water surfaces. Therefore they wait on the spanish side of the Strait for a sunny day without wind to attempt the crossing and reach Africa. Unfortunately we are in november and days in good weather conditions are not common. As a result it is not rare the catch the sight of huge flocks of vultures flying over the hills between the towns of Tarifa and Algeciras. Up to 1000 of Griffon Vultures together is an incredible sight, as you can see from the pictures below.

Acrobatic falcons

Eleonora's Falcons are spectacular birds. Thinking to those raptors reminds me some beautiful Mediterranean islands in early autumn when temperatures are still warm but turists are back in their claustrophobic towns. Last September I was at Andros in the Aegean Sea, together with HOS ornithologists team to check a colony of these falcons. Looking around it was possible to find the remainings of their prey. Among them a Kestrel, several Hoopoes, Cuckoos, Lesser Grey Shrikes, Scops owls, Golden Orioles. Their movements as well as their calls animated the quiet atmosphere of a coast where you can see just few fishermen in their small boats. Now all the falcons have migrated toward their wintering ground in the Madagascar and I hope to see their acrobatic flight again next year over the Mediterranean skies.

Aspromonte in autumn

The Aspromonte Mountain is a land of great contradictions. It is a wild mountain where few people live and where landscape is breathtaking. On the other hand the effect of unproper, and sometimes illegal, human  activities can be seen everywhere: the signs of fires, the forests where trees are mostly young, the cattle widespreading. In any case it is a mountain worth to be visiting if you are looking for a wild and remote place. Looking at the skyline of the mountain ridge to catch the sight of some flying raptors, walking in the forest at night to discover salamanders or simply enjoying the first rain of Autumn is great!

A quiet moment

 At sunset the light over the water was impressive and the forest was mirrored in the Lake Cornino (Eastern Pre-Alps)

Testing my new lens

When I started to take wildlife pictures I was a teenager. At that time I spent long times watching pictures of the best wildlife photographers and I dreamt to use a big lens. Now, I have recently bought a second hand 500 mm and as expected, I was anxious to test it. To do that I went in the Apennines to take pictures of the Abruzzo chamois. Here below some pictures I made with my new lens. I need to improve my skill in using a big lens but the results are encouraging.

Among ferns and vultures

The Alcornocales National Park is hilly and wild area located in the south of Spain close to the Strait of Gibraltar. Differently from many other areas of Andalusia, the proximity with  the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea provides to the Alcornocales good quantities of rain. The landscape is an hilly zone covered by cork oaks and shrubs with deep valleys crossed by streams. Many species of birds breed there and many others pass during migration since the Strait is close. Among raptors Griffon Vulters and Short-toed Snake Eagles are really common, and with a bit of luck it is possible to catch the sight of the Black-shouldered Kite.  

     

Armenia in winter

Despite the small extension of Armenian territory, the landscape there is amazingly various. From the plan valley of the Araks river along the Turkish border up to the high plains close to the mountains peaks. Steppic and semi-desertic areas are fascinating places where I had the luck to see perched Black Vultures and flying Griffons. Winter time in Armenia is cold and snow cover all the areas above 1000 metres above sea level. In this scenario its surprising to meet some huge flocks of birds: Black kites, White storks, Finches. But Armenia has many surprises, just look for them and have a little 'patience.

Greetings from snowy Rome