Birds of prey and sparrows: A photographic adventure in wild Andalusia

Our photographic journey into the heart of Andalusia began in bustling Seville, gateway to Spain’s southernmost region. After savouring the city’s rich culture, amidst flamenco and tapas, we headed to the surrounding natural areas, ready to capture the region’s extraordinary avian biodiversity with our lenses.

Sierra Morena: The realm of birds of prey

Our first stop was the Sierra Morena, a mountain range that stretches for hundreds of kilometres, providing an ideal habitat for numerous species of birds of prey. Here, our days began at dawn, strategically positioning ourselves on rocky outcrops to observe the sky.

One of the most exciting moments was the sighting of a pair of Iberian imperial eagles, one of the rarest raptor species in Europe. Using powerful telephoto lenses hidden among the rocks, we managed to capture images of these majestic birds as they patrolled their territory. The photographic challenge was considerable, requiring a perfect mastery of exposure techniques to balance the contrast between the bright sky and the eagles’ dark plumage.

No less exciting was the encounter with the griffon vulture that dominates the Andalusian skies. We spent hours observing their flight techniques, capturing images as they exploited thermal currents to soar effortlessly. The use of high-speed cameras allowed us to freeze the movement of their broad wings, revealing incredible details of their plumage.

La Doñana: paradise for sparrows and more

Leaving the Sierra Morena, we headed for the Doñana National Park, one of Europe’s most important wetlands. Here, our focus shifted to the sparrows, but the avian wealth of the park offered us much more.

In the early hours of the morning, hidden in photo huts at the edge of the wetlands, we captured several species of sparrows. The Sardinian sparrow, endemic to the Mediterranean region, was one of the most interesting subjects. Its social habits allowed us to capture images of large groups, exploiting the golden light of dawn to enhance the details of their plumage.

But the Doñana also gave us unexpected encounters. One unforgettable moment was the sighting of a group of pink flamingos in flight. The challenge here was to capture the formation in motion, playing with longer exposure times to create an effect of movement in the wings while keeping the birds’ bodies sharp.

There was no shortage of opportunities to photograph birds of prey here too. The fish eagle, which specialises in hunting in wetlands, provided us with spectacular fishing scenes. We spent hours lurking, waiting for the perfect moment when the eagle would dive into the water to catch a fish, requiring quick reflexes and a good dose of luck to get the perfect shot.

Sierra Nevada: In search of high altitude sparrows

The last leg of our journey took us to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, where we looked for sparrow species adapted to mountain environments. The Alpine finch was one of the most fascinating subjects, with its plumage perfectly camouflaged among the rocks.

Here we experimented with macro photography, using telephoto lenses with extension tubes to capture incredible details of the plumage and eyes of these small birds. The biggest challenge was getting close enough without disturbing the subjects, requiring patience and slow, gradual approach techniques.

Conclusions and reflections

This photographic trip to Andalusia allowed us to explore an amazing variety of habitats, from mountain peaks to coastal wetlands, each with its own unique avian fauna. The diversity of species encountered, from majestic birds of prey to tiny sparrows, required continuous adaptability in photographic techniques and approach to the subject.

The experience also made us reflect on the importance of the conservation of these habitats. Many of the species photographed, such as the Iberian imperial eagle, are threatened and benefit from conservation programmes. As nature photographers, we felt a responsibility to document these species with respect for their environment, hoping that our images could help raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity conservation.

Having returned home with thousands of shots and indelible memories, we look forward to the next photographic adventure, always in search of new species and new creative challenges.