Mark Simmonds

I think this is probably the best photo I have ever taken? Chiffchaff looking at its reflection at the local spring. What do you all think? Hopefully I might get a re-post or two? View full screen. #birds #birdphotography

My #birdoftheday #branched is the fabulous White-spotted Bluethroat at my local spring. I love it when they cock their tails like this. #birds #birdphotography

I was happy to catch this Ferruginous Duck mid-dive at Clot Del Galvany. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #ononeleg has to be this young Greater Flamingo at dawn at El Hondo. #birds #birdphotography

Mega. My first Yellow-browed Warbler for Spain and Alicante region yesterday. Only 30 minutes from my house and not another birder in sight (it was found the day before). I was very happy to get a couple of shots too. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

Really pleased to see that my ‘friendly’ White-spotted Bluethroat is back at my local spring. Such fantastic birds to have around for the winter. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #LMNO is this Little Grebe taken at Clot Del Galvany. Such characterful birds. #birds #birdphotography

I love the almost viscous look of the water these 2 Black-necked Grebes were swimming across at Clot Del Galvany. Have a great weekend everyone. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #greenbackground has to be this Western Black-eared Wheatear taken near Pinoso earlier this year. Truly stunning birds. #birds #birdphotography

Whimbrel are not a common bird in the Alicante region so I was pleased to get this fly past at Santa Pola recently. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #seasonal is this Zitting Cisticola. Always tricky to catch out in the open. #birds #birdphotography

I was very pleased to find this Hen Harrier yesterday (a very scarce bird in Alicante region). This means I have now found all 4 Harrier species this year within 20 miles of my house! 22 species of raptor for the year so far. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #black&white has to be this Pied Avocet taken at El Hondo. Such unique birds with that up-curved bill and blue legs. #birds #birdphotography

This is the Mediterranean subspecies of the European Shag taken at Santa Pola. Not a common bird in the region so great to see one so well. Think it is practicing its ballet😂 #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #littlelegs is this European Hoopoe sheltering in the rain yesterday. It does not really look very happy. Most have left now but I saw 10 on my local steppe yesterday. #birds #birdphotography

How stunning is the plumage of the Red-legged Partridge when you look at it closely. I don’t get a chance to photograph them very often as they are relatively scarce and elusive here. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #reflection is this sleeping male White-headed Duck from Clot Del Galvany the other day. Globally threatened but plenty at this site. #birds #birdphotography

Another photo of the stunning immature Golden Eagle from the other day. There were 2 birds present so I assume they were siblings. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #birdsofprey #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #larus is this Audouin’s Gull taken at Santa Pola. One of my favourite gull species. #birds #birdphotography

Brilliant day out birding yesterday with another trip to the coastal areas including Clot Del Galvany. My best ever views of Ferruginous Duck - this is the male with the white eye. A flock of 7 in total. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #dawn is this beautiful Great Crested Grebe in the early morning light at El Hondo earlier this year. Stunning birds. #birds #birdphotography

Another brilliant afternoon for raptors yesterday with 9 different species and my best ever views of Golden Eagle. Magnificent bird. What is the best day for raptors you have had. Mine was 18 species in a day in the Gambia! #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

This is the first photo I have managed of a Cleopatra at my local patch (Monte Coto). Only the second I have seen this year and like Clouded Yellows always land with closed wings. #butterfly #butterflyphotograpy #butterflies #insects

There are still a few summer migrants passing through - 10 Northern Wheatear on my local steppe. Now joined by winter visitors - my first Merlin, Meadow Pipits, Stonechats and Black Redstarts. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #JKLM is this Little Grebe taken at Clot Del Galvany the other day. Such cute birds and very noisy. #birds #birdphotography

This eclipse plumaged Northern Shoveler was feeding outside one of the hides at Clot Del Galvany. Lovely to watch it using its special bill for sifting the weeds. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

The lighting and water were perfect yesterday at Clot Del Galvany. This Black- necked Grebe was fishing just outside the hide. Stunning birds in winter as well as summer plumage. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

Superb photo from Chris 👍🏽👍🏽

My #birdoftheday #lookingdown is this Eurasian Red-rumped Swallow giving me the look near Pinoso. All left for Africa now. #birds #birdphotography

When a Griffon Vulture flies over you can see why they call them a ‘barn door’ - huge birds and so graceful in flight. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography

My #birdoftheday #blue has to be this European Roller taken near Pinoso earlier this year. They have left for Africa now but what stunning birds. #birds #birdphotography #birding

This Zitting Cisticola sat up nicely for me for a change. Amazing that they are now breeding in the UK which was predicted many years ago but has only recently occurred. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #ducks&geeseinflight is this Gadwall taken at Clot Del Galvany recently. #birds #birdphotography

A Western Cattle Egret contemplating life at Clot Del Galvany recently. No AI just an original shot. Thanks for all the comments yesterday - very informative. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

The photo on the left is my original photo and the one on the right is AI enhanced. Not tried this before but it makes a big difference. I would always rather post my original photos. What do people think? #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography

My #birdoftheday #waders is this Black-winged Stilt taken earlier this year in Thailand. #birds #birdphotography #birding

I see Common Crossbills regularly here, even in the garden but they are super difficult to photograph. Was pleased to finally get a shot of this male bird at my local patch (Monte Coto). #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #crooners is this European Robin taken earlier this year back in the UK. Such great songsters. #birds #birdphotography

There are still a few migrants passing through near Pinoso. This lovely Northern Wheatear was at one of my regular sites for them locally. It did not seem to mind the very large solar farm and was using the fence as a lookout post. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #bluewater is this Great Crested Grebe taken at Clot Del Galvany. #birds #birdphotography

This Western Swamphen showed well yesterday at El Hondo. They always look slightly prehistoric to me. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

This is one of two pairs of Little Owls that live close to Pinoso that I see regularly. Such great expressions. #birds #birdphotography #birding #owls #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #blueskies is this Western Black-eared Wheatear taken on my local steppe earlier this year. #birds #birdphotography

WOW - what an amazing few hours birding near Pinoso yesterday. The first Pallid Harrier I have found in Spain and 4 Hobbies hunting together (a very scarce passage bird here - lucky if I see one or two birds a year). 11 species of raptor in 3 hours. #birds #birdphotography #birding #Alicante

My final European Bee-eater photo of the year. I will miss having these stunning birds about but winter beauties to look forward to. Have a great weekend. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

I could not resist posting another shot of the beautiful Kestrel from the other day. This is the actual shot unedited and no Ai- just cropped in a bit. Amazing how she can balance on such a small branch. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography

My #birdoftheday #red&black is this fly over Black-winged Stilt near Pinoso Spain. Great defenders of their nest sites. #birds #birdphotography

This young Barn Swallow was resting up on its way south to Africa. There are still a few moving through but most have now gone. Safe journey little one. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #bestbeaks is this White-throated Kingfisher taken in Thailand. One of the best beaks on a Kingfisher for sure. #birds #birdphotography

I saw this beautiful young female Common Kestrel on my local steppe yesterday. She was perching on the thin branches of Almond trees looking for grasshoppers. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

My #birdoftheday #blackandwhite is this Little Tern fishing at Santa Pola salt pans. Now all left for Africa. #birds #birdphotography