On Golden Pond

Week 01, 29 December 2013 - Jahra Pools Reserve

We are already into Week 01 of 2014 and have not yet reached the end of 2013.

Most of my birding is early morning till around lunch time and very seldom do I get out later in the afternoon. So, I decided to remedy this and to head past Sulaibikhat and the outfall near the Maternity Hospital where there is normally a collection of waders and gulls.

I didn't expect a flock of over 1000 or more Common Black-headed Gulls - the sound was quite deafening.

Large flock of Common Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) interspersed with a few Armenian Gulls (Larus armenicus)

The Black-headed Gulls were foraging over the outfall, not sure what they were eating, but I'm sure it was disgusting.

Foraging Common Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Portrait of 1st year Common Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

It was great to see a number of larger Armenian Gulls amongst the cacophony of the smaller Black-headed Gulls. In fact these were my first of this winter.

Adult Armenian Gull (Larus armenicus)

I headed to Jahra Pools knowing that in winter the light fades really fast and it is pretty much dark by 5:30pm. in the fading light I was able to photograph Western Marsh Harrier

Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

The Citrine Wagtail was still around, note that the catch light in it's eye is actually the setting sun

Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola)

The Common Kingfisher was on a more natural perch, so photographed it with the sun

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

and against the sun for a different effects - both pleasing

Backlit Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

By now the light was pretty much gone and I felt my creative juices kick in with the golden hues from the setting sun with many subjects providing opportunities  - hence the title, on golden pond.

Common Black-headed Gull

Common Moorhen

Eurasian Spoonbill

Greater Flamingo

It took quite some time before I had a bird fly into the sun, this was the best I could do in the time I had

Western Great Egret

Western Great Egret

The setting sun looked enormous behind the buildings in Jahra

The end of the day

This is the perspective from an ultra wide angle to give you a feel of the almost surreal setting before the sun went out and the lights came on.

The fantastic Jahra Pools Reserve