TomKal foto

Another bird of prey goes to my gallery – Bonelli’s eagle (11/2017). That’s what I wanted to shoot in Spain this time. Previously I took care over how many species could be classified on my website, now I am focused on photographing the specific species, and quality of the photos that are to be published will have to be more than sufficient or documentary. Now, when the goals which have been set in quantitative terms to have photographed 10% of the world bird population, although not all the published pictures are very good, my objective is not to create a gallery with a documentary content any more. When it happens, then for some reason it must be a special species to me. As far as possible, if I am lucky enough, these documentary galleries that are currently on the site will be renewed as better images are taken. This is the case with many galleries after my trip to Spain to shoot the southern eagle. Among others such galleries as of the blue rock thrush, the common kestrel, the Eurasian blackcap and the Sardinian warbler have undergone transformation and are no longer documentary galleries. And it's all thanks to the excellent knowledge of bird habits and using the facilities for bird watching and photographing that were built by our photographic workshop guides and organizers. When listening to Spanish ornithological stories a picture of a model environmental care and a real help emerged, especially those endangered species are under special care. I could have noticed it a few years ago when great bustards were photographed in Spain. The fact that everyone wants to have clean water, fresh air, high biodiversity, it is clear and obvious. The question is what real actions are taken to achieve good environmental status. The best rules will not protect endangered species until they are respected. I think bird watchers and photographers contribute to such protection, especially those responsible for the lookout points built intentionally for bird watching. The more birdwatchers or photographers, the better, and the hunters that were a problem in Spain in the past, prefer not to risk sanctions for breaking the law. I believe that commercial lookout points also contribute significantly to the growth of population, often endangered species. A couple of the Bonelli's eagles that were photographed have brought two youngsters to the bait this year. It is said that something like that can only be seen in June. Youngsters are later chased away from their parents' beat, but most of the monitored birds do not set their nests in a remote places, far away from their parents' nests. It is well known that for the lookouts to function properly birds must appear there. Even if  temporarily there are no observers or photographers, the birds once or twice a week can find food in front of lookout point. This is the case with the vultures, griffon vultures or Bonelli's eagles in Spain. No matter why they do like that, the crucial is that it works. They make it easy to be close to nature. And the wild, being sponsored by the watchers and photographers  is doing well, and moreover a risk of extinction of many species can be overcome. It is no coincidence that half of the world's population of bustards lives in Spain. Once, bustards occurred in the plains from Spain to Mongolia. Now, if we look at the map, it's a small patch of land where most of the world's population of bustards lives. It is said that the population of the Bonelli's  eagle was already counted below 100 individuals. It means that the entire population of these birds lived in Spain, and a small percentage in Portugal. After many years of protection, but also the functioning of the lookout points, the population has doubled and the population has increased and now numbers around 200 pairs. Nature photography in Spain is so popular that despite the numerous lookouts on weekends it is hard to find a free place. Maybe it is a practice worth to be followed. Such behavior allows us to preserve indigenous species despite our expansion which is an obstacle. If not such places, watching a Bonelli's eagle would mean looking for a point in the sky. Taking good photos would be a dream, and there are time limits, just lack of free time. And here we have the photographic aims achieved in 100% and a new, interesting gallery of this rare beautiful bird created - I invite you...