I took this picture last week when we were on holiday in Portugal. I had noticed that massive bird nests were a common sight on top of high buildings.
While strolling through the city of Olhão, I spotted this particular example. Taken in the midday sun with the cloudless blue sky, I thought it made a very striking image.
I initially thought this was a heron but I believe it is a stork, although I can’t say for sure. Despite appearances, the building it was nesting on was, I think, a museum and not a church. Even so, I couldn’t help wondering if the stork was appealing for divine protection by building its nest right underneath the stone cross!
In truth, I am very surprised this picture came out at all. On inspecting my camera afterwards, I noticed that I accidentally had it in close-up mode. Needless to say, I was quite some distance away on the ground.
For the photography geeks, here are the picture’s details: shutter speed 1/200 of a second, aperture was f18, focal length 200mm (I was using a telephoto lens) and ISO 400. As usual for a Sunday, I have linked this image to the #MySundayPhoto linky hosted by the Photalife blog. Click on the badge below to visit the linky.
29 thoughts on “If you’re going to build your nest anywhere…”
Your headline made me chuckle. How amazing to capture her (or maybe him, I don’t know much about stalks) on her nest. How cool would it be to see a baby? I hope you all had a fab holiday. #MySundayPhoto
I was surprised to see it on the nest at that time of day, it being so hot. Alas, didn’t see any young ones.
What a fab photo! I hate it when I accidentally leave my camera on the wrong mode. I guess this worked because there was nothing in the background apart from that amazing blue sky.
I think you are correct; it only worked because the subject matter was obvious to the camera. That said, I will be more careful next time.
Great shot what a beautiful blue sky hope you had a good holiday #mysundayphoto
Oh we had a great holiday Nigel. Glad you liked the picture.
She/he is a stork, we saw one this summer on one of the old posts that made up the iron curtain. Fabulous photo #mysundayphoto
Thanks for confirming! I had been a bit worried I had mis-identified it.
That nest looks flipping huge. I love the backdrop of the sky it makes everything just jump out more
Thank you for linking up
The backdrop does work well doesn’t it (even if I say so myself!).
Fab photo and what a place to build a nest. I wonder if he leans against the cross on sunny evenings and ponders life 🙂
Well, you’d kinda have ot lean on the cross and ponder life really wouldn’t you?
Great photo John. Amazing blue sky.
It is a stunny sky isn’t it? Makes the conditions very, very bright though. it’s difficult to take a decent photograph it’s so harsh, truth be told.
Ha ha, great place for a nest. Makes me wish I had a telephoto lens, great shot! #MySundayPhoto
A telephoto lens is well worth investing in. Glad you liked the image.
Brilliant shot. In France I’ve seen storks nesting on top of telegraph poles.
Seriously, seen them nesting on telephone poles? That does surprised me. Would have thought they were too small.
That’s a great photo despite your efforts to mess it up! I just love the nest against the blue sky #MySundayPhoto
Yeah, I was surprised the image worked at all. Thanks for commenting.
Wow! What a huge nest…That is amazing.
Fantastic photo x
Ginormous nest isn’t it? You see them all over the place in Portugal.
What a great shot and such clarity!
We were in Faro & Almancil, in Portugal, at the start of the holidays and we saw many of these Storks nests up high on the City’s buildings, but my photos weren’t at all clear like yours.
Apparently it’s a common phenomena across the city but they are amazing when you see them aren’t they.
Hope you had a lovely holiday.
BTW, did you get to Zoo Marine? It’s theme tune has become our song of the holiday (very repetitious!!)
Alas, no we didn’t get to Zoo Marine. I will keep it in mind for our next visit. There will be more, of this I am sure!
What a brilliant capture! That is a stork – who looks very comfortable in the choice of him. Much more chance of being watched over there!
I think this stork was very comfortable indeed, although I was a little surprised that ll the storks seem to nest where it is very hot and exposed.
I an only imagine how high that nest is! I think its safe for them as no one can get there to hurt their babies =) #MySundayPhoto
Oh yes, it was pretty high. No ladder would go that far.
Great photo; I’m pleased it came out so well.:)