MarkS
03-07-2010, 14:47
Six of us reconvened at the DDCR this morning for a second crack at the eagle, after yesterday's unsuccessful, but hugely enjoyable, venture. This time, we also had Greg on board, so with 2 experienced guides the odds were stacked well in our favour.
That experience soon paid off as Greg spotted a Desert Eagle Owl perched up near the first waterhole and gave superb views (especially compared to the distant murky silhouette that is the Qarn Nazwa experience).
We then went well and truly off-road and explored the dunes to the NE, finding a couple of Desert Hares tucked up in the shade of Fire Bushes. Then back to the waterholes where, after about 15 minutes, we flushed the Goldie. It flew low to a bush 300m away and perched up, panting in the heat, affording good, if somewhat heat-hazy, views. The bird, unsurprisingly, didn't hang around for photos when the guys tried to stalk it, but we refound it and had it circling over our heads as it drifted off towards the Al Maha Resort. Absolutely stunning.
After that, we could sit back and enjoy the rest of the morning, as Stephen and Greg led us through the sand dunes, giving Simon and Mike extra dune-bashing experience - and we all now know who needed it! :p
A Hoopoe-lark right beside the vehicles was a nice find by Stephen, and the bird put on a curious performance whereby it would flush into the open, run back into shade and settle itself with wings half open as if anting, then rise again, walk around and resettle, before flying out into the open again. Quite bizarre.
No Lappet-faced Vultures to act as a grand finale, but as we completed a circuit if the reserve, coming back through a largely untouched dunescape, it didn't matter. We had been treated to gripping views of two superb birds of prey and numerous gazelles and oryx in the most unspoilt area in Dubai emirate.
Enormous thanks to Greg and Stephen for not only arranging these visits, but for giving us their time and for being hugely informative and congenial hosts - and for finding the birds! You guys are stars!
That experience soon paid off as Greg spotted a Desert Eagle Owl perched up near the first waterhole and gave superb views (especially compared to the distant murky silhouette that is the Qarn Nazwa experience).
We then went well and truly off-road and explored the dunes to the NE, finding a couple of Desert Hares tucked up in the shade of Fire Bushes. Then back to the waterholes where, after about 15 minutes, we flushed the Goldie. It flew low to a bush 300m away and perched up, panting in the heat, affording good, if somewhat heat-hazy, views. The bird, unsurprisingly, didn't hang around for photos when the guys tried to stalk it, but we refound it and had it circling over our heads as it drifted off towards the Al Maha Resort. Absolutely stunning.
After that, we could sit back and enjoy the rest of the morning, as Stephen and Greg led us through the sand dunes, giving Simon and Mike extra dune-bashing experience - and we all now know who needed it! :p
A Hoopoe-lark right beside the vehicles was a nice find by Stephen, and the bird put on a curious performance whereby it would flush into the open, run back into shade and settle itself with wings half open as if anting, then rise again, walk around and resettle, before flying out into the open again. Quite bizarre.
No Lappet-faced Vultures to act as a grand finale, but as we completed a circuit if the reserve, coming back through a largely untouched dunescape, it didn't matter. We had been treated to gripping views of two superb birds of prey and numerous gazelles and oryx in the most unspoilt area in Dubai emirate.
Enormous thanks to Greg and Stephen for not only arranging these visits, but for giving us their time and for being hugely informative and congenial hosts - and for finding the birds! You guys are stars!