11/06/08
First day out with EOS 50D -
Categories: Week 44 - 01 November 2008, Al Abraq
Earlier this week I had received the Canon EOS 50D, replacing my trusted EOS 20D so was itching to try it out. Al Abraq was a natural choice, as Rick and Pekka had found Penduline Tit and Dead Sea Sparrow a few days before. Images by Mike Pope
Al Abraq is a private oasis farm almost on the western boundary of Kuwait. Once you turn off into the desert, the farm slowly appears in the distance
Just before the farm, I came across a lone herder which was a timeless photographic opportunity
Once at the farm, I headed straight to the patch of elephant grass (we think that is what it is) and found the enigmatic Dead Sea Sparrows fairly quickly. I lifted my new baby to take the first pics and the camera had frozen - nothing! Panic ensured momentarily, I swapped the batteries around in the grip and it has been fine since. There were 3 in the flock and are really smart little birds
A female Spanish Sparrow flew in to feed with the 3 Dead Sea Sparrows and the size difference was immediately noticeable
I couldnt relocate the Penduline Tits (perhaps it was still too early), so walked around the farm and found that Red breasted Flycatchers were still present, at least 5 birds were seen
Stonechats were still present
A dark phase Steppe Buzzard flew over scattering many birds below
Water Pipits had arrived in numbers were seen feeding in some of the crop patches
Before I left later in the morning with it having warmed up, I went back to the elephant grass patch and found Abdulrahman with his awesome kit at the sparrow spot, only to discover that the Tits were feeding in the patch
There was a mixed group of 5 Penduline Tits (nothing like those we have in South Africa). However they proved to be in tricky lighting conditions - small light bird in dark green surrounds and bright sunlight. The camera handled the conditions well, in my opinion.
