Bee Eaters in Costa Caleta
As Fuerteventura is close to Africa and the strongest winds tend to blow from the continent towards the island, sometimes birds that would not normally be seen here are blown over. In April 2008 there was a very strong wind blowing and this resulted in the appearance of lots of bee eaters. I was not sure what they were, but Aram from Gone Fishing, Caleta's fishing tackle shop, had seen them while on safari in Africa.
The first photographs I managed to take were not particularly good, but as a few specimens have hung around I was able to take some better ones, that I am quite pleased with. The bee eaters are very colourful, but they have a distinctive call which is often the first indication that they are in the vicinity. The least good photo gives an idea of how they fly. They usually have their wings spread, and I assume the wings tucked in mode is to gain speed when chasing prey.
© "costa-caleta.co.uk 2008"
