A Full House

Week 41, 09 October 2015 - Jahra Pools

I spent a quick 2-hours in Jahra Pools in the late afternoon and came away with a full house; trip Kings and a pair of raptors..

White-throated Kingfisher is a breeding resident and the most common Kingfisher in Kuwait

White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) checking out a Marsh Harrier passing by over the reeds

Common Kingfisher is a scarce passage migrant

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

As is Pied Kingfisher, although this year Kuwait, together with the rest of the Region has had an 'eruption of sorts' for this species. I converted one image to B+W - which do you prefer?

Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)

The 'pair' of raptors included the more common Steppe Buzzard

Steppe Buzzard (Buteo b. vulpinus)

as well as the now annual Black-winged Kite which had come in to roost for the night

Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus vociferus)

I guess, the last image is the Joker - but I love the reflection, serenity and dark tones of this Little Grebe image

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)