'tis but a base ignoble mind...

March 3, 2007 6:37 AM

Bee eaters and lesser kestrels.
posted by Wolfdog (12 comments total)

I'm covered in BEEEEES!
posted by Rhomboid at 7:23 AM on March 3, 2007

Beautiful shots. At first glance I thought for sure this one was a composite, but I was wrong.
posted by itchylick at 8:02 AM on March 3, 2007

I recently discovered a colony of about 100 European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) at about 20 km north of my place. I spent many hours in a hide observing the community life and the breeding cycle. In order to leave them undisturbed I set my tent in the dark before sunrise while females are resting in the nest and males are not yet on the site. Later, to remain unnoticed while leaving I wait for a natural disturbance in the colony (raptor around for instance) that keeps the birds in distance. Meanwhile, during 6 hours of time, staying still in my hide, I can watch a fascinating show.

Great find Wolfdog. I am astonished by people wth this sort of devotion. Birdwatching is a strange fetish, but I'm glad some people have it.

This is a fantastic picture with an informative caption.
posted by three blind mice at 8:10 AM on March 3, 2007

Wow, those lesser kestrels are really lovely. I had no idea they were that small. Wiki suggests that they are about 12 inches long, which really isn't much bigger than my quaker parrot. (though with a 25+ inch wingspan, it's definitely a bit wider than my little green bird.)

Pity they are endangered (and not native to my area). I'd love to try to figure out a way to coerce a colony to congregate around my house. Pretty birds, goofy looking chicks, less insects, it would be a win across the board. I would have great photo opportunities without getting bugged by bugs.
posted by quin at 9:52 AM on March 3, 2007

Nice post
posted by rosswald at 10:42 AM on March 3, 2007

Flickr has some great shots of bee eaters too.
posted by srboisvert at 11:01 AM on March 3, 2007

Excellant post, Wolfdog. These photos are gorgeous!!!
posted by annieb at 4:19 PM on March 3, 2007

This really is great.
posted by Kwantsar at 8:45 PM on March 3, 2007

Great post! Thank you, Wolfdog.
posted by jaruwaan at 6:53 AM on March 4, 2007

Fabulous, thank you!
posted by owhydididoit at 9:46 AM on March 4, 2007

kestrel makes me want nethack
posted by owhydididoit at 9:47 AM on March 4, 2007

Bee eaters are my heroes. They can eat all the bees they want.
posted by Foosnark at 9:12 PM on March 4, 2007