We made the best of a bad situation though and collectively managed to build up a good selection of species. There are always Flamingos here, not in great numbers such as at Fuente de Piedra, but always some scattered about in the salt pans where presumably the depth suits them.
Yes, definitely more graceful in flight than when stationary, as can be seen in the photos above compared with the one to the right in which a Spoonbill shares his space with a Yellow-Legged Gull. Personally I prefer to photograph small birds than Waders. Little ones are more challenging than a large target standing around on some mud, so are much more fun for the photographic hunter. I enjoyed capturing a decent image of a Whinchat for example, it's a passage migrant that we get few opportunities to see, let alone photograph. I think it is a very attractive little bird |

The Willow Warbler is quite a common passage migrant at this time of year but I think it makes a nice image as it moves around on tall plant stems picking out seed and insect food. I spotted this one through the portals in a hide behind the Visitor's Centre which allowed some close-up shots of a very active little bird finding good pickings on the plant seed heads.
Pied Flycatchers featured regularly on this trip, they were seen at virtually every location, obviously making their way towards the narrow crossing at Gibralter on their way South. The solitary Slender Billed Gull below was on a salt pool on the Odiel Marshes. The inexperienced birder could mistake this species for a Black Headed Gull in Winter plumage. One needs to note the longer bill, forehead and neck. It is a much scarcer bird which only really occurs around the Meditterranean coasts and not in large numbers. I have posted a shot of a Black Headed Gull for comparison purposes. |