My Feathered Friends - Some Random Photos

We are in the middle of the month, it is still hot, summer is not over, but the birds are on the move. Every day small and big flocks head to the South. We see mainly storks and pelicans, but all migratory birds are packing for the long journey. Some may think it is early to leave, but being on one of the main routes, what we see are the birds from Northern Europe passing by above our heads. I am so fortunate. Seeing the flocks is exciting, but unlike the spring time when they arrive, this time I feel sad. The summer soon will be over, winter is coming. Sounds like GOT, but it is what it is, seasons are changing quickly.

I had not much time to make posts this week. So, I collect some of the photos from the last days to put them together and here we go.

Barn swallow

Barn swallows teased me by flying very close. Next to the park they rest on the wire in a garden.

Nightingale

I used to say how lucky I am, because I see the birds on the move, I am not stalking and waiting for them, but with the nightingale after first seeing it, I know where it nests and each time passing by, the chances to spot it again are increasing. It is really not impressive and one can miss it very easily.

I am almost sure this is the fledgling who now has a plumage of an adult bird. Sometimes I can only hear it without noticing it among the branches. Next month the nightingale will also leave.

Storks

This is part of the flock that was flying rather low, the rest I could not capture as they were too high, following the thermals.
Just to get an idea how massive these flocks are, look at the next picture. This is one of not so big flocks and because it was very high, I did not crop it. Sure, these are storks.

Red-backed shrike

Male red-backed shrike watching from above for prey. There is this tree in the park, where the top branches are bare. Shrikes prefer to be on top and some days ago on that very tree top branch a female bird was standing.

Last year I saw much more of shrikes, not like this year. Yesterday I got another bird on the same tree, but since it is not very good and sharp, I cannot be sure if it is a shrike again.

Kestrel

Now, this is a raptor we see on daily basis and despite it is so offen around, not always I succeed to make a decent photo.

This beauty was so fast. I know that there are few of them and hopefully I will keep on seeing flying close enough.

Hobby

Another falcon I see for the first time. It was hard to id, as the images again did not turn good, but asking the fb group Birds in Bulgaria if this is Hobby, I got possitive answer.

Isn't it amazing how many different raptors we see in short distance?

Let me finish with this young sparrow on apple tree.

And as a reminder, there is still time till tomorrow to submit your entry, if you haven't yet in #SMAP - Show Me A Photo Contest. This week I am expecting to see your photos of BIRD AND FRUIT.

Do not forget to check Hive account@sofs-su's contest - Let our picture tell your story - Edition 2. Let your imagination fly and tell us a story. Read the rules and see what the other contestants wrote. This is another fun contest in Feathered Friends Community.