Birds illustrations
Booted Eagle
During a trip to central Spain, I had the chance to watch a Booted Eagle hunting for small birds. It had a special talent for chasing swallows, circling high in the sky before diving at incredible speed to catch them in mid-air. Watching it swiftly maneuvering as it was attacking in free fall was breathtaking. After catching its prey, the Booted Eagle didn’t stop – it ate it while flying, circling lower over the landscape. Even though the Booted Eagle is the smallest eagle in Europe, it is a skilled hunter, able to survive in many habitats. It is also a long-distance traveler, migrating from Europe and Asia, crossing the Sahara, and spending the winter in Sub-Saharan Africa. Seeing it in action showed me just how amazing and adaptable these birds really are.
Golden Eagle
An encounter with the golden eagle, in the most unexpected moment… During my Easter holiday, I visited with my family Monfragüe National Park in the Extremadura region of Spain. Toward the end of the trip, we went for a relaxed walk in an area known mostly for larks. I spent a few hours there and photographed four different subspecies. Just as I was about to leave, I spotted two black vultures on the ground, not too far away. They had found something in the field and stayed there for about half an hour. Just when I thought the scene couldn’t get any better, out of nowhere, the golden eagle appeared, most likely drawn by whatever the two giants had discovered. It carefully scanned the area, looked me straight in the eyes, and gave me an unforgettable moment.
European Robin
With its signature bright-red breast, the robin is immediately recognisable. It has a brown back and white belly, with the orange-red breast stretching up to its throat and face. Juvenile robins are brown all over with mottled golden flecks.