Orlando: How a Sunshine State became my wildlife destination

When we hear the name Orlando, Florida, the city in the state's central region we immediately think of Disney World. I realize that taking photos of wildlife in Orlando isn't high on most tourists' priority lists, but I had a fantastic time doing it and highly recommend it. I found the experience to be exhilarating and invigorating. When I was planning my trip to Orlando, one of my primary goals was to spend as much time as possible outside. So, in advance of my trip, I looked into visiting several wildlife nature reserves. My photography experience was done while my family was not around me, apart from the majority of family time I had with them, so sharing it could help many other photographers who are planning to take their families to Disney World. This is because my wildlife photography experience in Orlando has been the best so far in the past two years among all the countries that we have visited, and our short period of nine days visit to Orlando has given me the opportunity to photograph many new species of birds.

Bald Eagle

When I looked at the satellite view of Florida in the google maps, I realized that the state is dotted with many lakes. In the beginning, I focused on these bodies of water as potential search grounds. The scarcity I had before travelling was that I am new to Orlando and whether I’d be okay there on my own in the nature reserves. I was mostly warned about the alligators and snakes in Orlando, which is highly untypical for the United Kingdom. Nonetheless, I was quite certain of my skills. I had plenty of confidence with my ability. It was my understanding that the acres upon which the Vacation Village resort in Parkway, Kissimmee was developed were surrounded by stunning natural scenery. I had high expectations of seeing some amazing animals right at the resort, and I wasn't let down.

Pileated Woodpecker

The Vacation Village resort had two small nature walks within the resort itself. I spend every day approximately 1 – 2 hrs. walking or sitting there alone. There were notice boards everywhere warning of alligators and not to feed any wildlife. Nature definitely gives lots of refreshing inner feelings. It made me to forget the stress, jetlag and time difference just on the first day itself. My first encounter was two Pileated Woodpeckers just at the doorstep of our block of resort. They were not scared or disturbed even when I got closer to them about 20 feet. It was a beautiful start indeed and I spotted them at the same place for 4 days out of our nine days stay in the resort. I guess they come to the same spot every day, though the short, big, dead tree did not look like that the birds reside on that tree. My leisure time at the resort’s nature trails gave me the opportunity to spot Black-and-white warbler, Palm Warbler, Pine Warbler, White ibis and many Egrets. I was always alert for the alligators which I couldn’t spot during my stay in the resort. The cutest moment was spotting a raccoon while I was walking to the main reception from our block.

Sandhill Crane

Lake Tohopekaliga provided me a major opportunity to spot many species of birds. This lake and its environs provided the setting for the vast majority of my bird photographs. It was only through driving about aimlessly that I discovered this place. I found this lake as a gifted area to spot many species including Ospreys, Hawks, Turkey Vultures and Bald eagles. The bald eagles of the United States wowed me with their majesty and grace when I first saw one near this lake. These birds are the national birds of USA which surprised me a lot with their power, strength and beauty. Lake Tohopekaliga gave me the opportunity to watch three bald eagles at a very close distance. It was such an over exciting and thrilling moment for me. Attracted towards this area made me to go there four days without my family to spend few good hours there. It is safe to say that half of my wildlife photos were taken from this lake and surrounding areas. I would suggest to walk around the lake with the camera as many birds turn up randomly. A friendly Wood Stork and the Sandhill Cranes around the area stole my heart completely. I still think of them. Glossy Ibis, Red-billed Woodpecker, Cormorants, Limpkins, Oriental darters, White Ibis, Cardinals, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, Turkey Vultures, northern Mockingbirds, Little-Blue herons, Tricolored Herons and Great-Blue Herons were the birds I was able to spot in this lake.

Osprey

Lake Apopka wildlife reserve is another great place to visit. It is about 45 minutes drive from Vacation Village resort in Parkway, Kissimmee. I would definitely spend more time here when I go to Florida next time. This is a drive through nature reserve with free entry and toilet facilities at certain points, which was very convenient to visit with the family. Not seen many drive through nature reserves in England made me to appreciate the facility I had in Apopka wildlife reserve. This made me to feel no guilty of giving trouble to my family to walk long distances with me. Drive through directions are shown clearly at every important points on the way. Mostly filled with marsh land and bushes, it was very easy to spot many birds here. I spotted many species of herons, egrets, osprey, hawk, eastern Phoebe, darters, cormorants, purple Swamphen and a belted kingfisher. I should have spotted more birds if the time was not limited with our other schedules on the Christmas day.

Brown-Pelican

Anyone who wish to photograph wildlife in Florida should consider going to the Coco beach near Kennedy Space Centre. It is a very beautiful sandy beach which is about 1.5 hrs drive from Kissimmee. Unfortunately, I did not have much time at coco beach, but I was rewarded with an Osprey sitting on a tree, 2 flying pelicans, one Turnstone and a Willet at the shore within an hour of our stay. I should have spotted more birds if I had spent more time at the beach.

Wild Florida Safaris is a best place for an easy way to photograph birds and animals if anyone is packed with Disney world adventures. The best part of this safari is the airboat ride and the wildlife I spotted during this ride. Peacocks, plovers, oriental darters, grackles, Sandhill cranes, Bolded eagles and few more wildlife bird species were wading freely around the safari area among the captured animals.

Easter Bluebird

While driving to Disney world, I saw the falcon’s Fire Golf Course. The name of this golf course attracted me. Realizing that USA has a lot of bird of prays, the name of this golf course made me to think that I could spot a Falcon there. Sounds a bit funny, but I braved to go inside another day and started walking. The only birds I was able to spot there were warblers, mocking birds and an Easter Bluebird. I am not sure why this golf course got that name, but someone out there may have a better answer for this if they know the area well enough.

My overall experience made me to realise that there are plenty of bird of preys in USA than any other countries. Animals are not been disturbed by humans, and the welfare acts and law to save the animals are implied strongly by the government. I felt overwhelmed to leave the country with thousands of photos of about forty new species I spotted in just nine days. Kindly refer my Instagram page for more photos and videos that I took in Florida.

Cyprus: A Unified Perspective of Divided Land

Cyprus's azure sky, mountains, historic ruins, and gorgeous Venetian balconies may all be part of its charm. 'If flowers could talk?', I frequently find myself wondering that what is the answer for this question. Photography is the same. We need to use our imagination when it comes to creative camera lens "solutions"!

Have you ever given any thought to the possibility that there is more to Cyprus than first it appears? The region contains a variety of stunning natural features, including majestic mountains, kilometers of untouched beaches, and acres of vibrantly colored farmland. When it comes to history and culture, the island has a lot to offer in terms of what it has to offer. Find out everything you need to know about the most sought-after jewel in the Mediterranean region! Discover an unrivalled holiday experience waiting to be found, complete with endless possibilities just waiting to be investigated. A large amount of natural beauty, as well as a wide diversity of landscapes, contribute to Cyprus' status as a popular tourist destination. Both Greece and Turkey claim ownership of the portion of this island that is located in the Mediterranean Sea that is further north. The monetary values and cultural standards that prevail in the south and the north are quite unlike one another. We were able to secure a lovely Acapulco resort in northern Cyprus for our holiday in February 2022. The trip took place that month.

Instead of trying to secure a flight from the UK to northern Cyprus, we decided to travel to Paphos International Airport in the south of Cyprus and then drive to the northern part of the island. According to the results of an online search that we conducted before our arrival, it would take at least two hours to get from Paphos International Airport to our Acapulco resort. We arrived in Paphos about nine in the morning and had planned to check into the Acapulco resort around noontime. The procedures required for COVID inspections and hiring a self-driving car each took around an hour to complete at the Paphos airport. Because we were travelling to the north, many of the car rental companies we approached declined our request to hire a vehicle from them. Because of this, they alleged that the plans they had for automobile insurance do not cover driving in the northern region of Cyprus. It was a stroke of good luck that we came upon a local company that was willing to let us use their car for the journey up north. When we got behind the wheel, the sun was shining strongly, but the temperature wasn't very uncomfortable.

We navigated our way to Nicosia (where the border control is) with the help of our Tomtom, and once we get there, we'll need to collect some documentation in order to cross the border. When my Tomtom estimates that it would take me half an hour to reach my destination, I immediately start using my phone to get the precise location as soon as possible. Instead of taking the A1 highway, out Tomtom took us through the B8 to go to Nicosia. Due to the fact that we were unable to establish a satellite connection on Mount Olympos, I was forced to rely on the navigational capabilities of my phone. Unfortunately, the GPS on my phone also lost service, but the Google map continued to show us the route we were travelling on. The highways appeared to be much smaller than we had anticipated. I relied only on Google geographical map to go to Nicosia, and I tried to use the E903 highway, which was colour-coded orange on the maps, but the road was closed. Our only option for crossing the border was to take the Astromeritis to the B9, which leads to Nicosia. It was almost five in the afternoon, and the route was quite long and twisty. Despite the fact that we were lost in the highlands and had to sit in the car for a total of six hours, the view was just stunning. It was close to eight o'clock in the evening when we finally made it through customs and booked into the hotel. We just had enough time for a short shower, some dinner, and then bed before the restaurant closed its doors for the evening. I could hardly contain my excitement about venturing out into the neighborhood with my camera the next day. As a result of the region's plethora of hills, picturesque vistas, and tree cover, I had every reason to believe that my time spent photographing birds in Northern Cyprus would be among the most profound memory of Cyprus.

This phrase, "the Mediterranean of your childhood," aptly conveys the peacefulness and unadulterated natural beauty of a region of the Levant that is mostly forgotten by the wider world. Cyprus stands out as an exception to the rule at a time when the majority of the other nations in the Mediterranean region have been taken over by the excesses of mass tourism. Cyprus, which is cradled on three continents, symbolizes the best of what the Mediterranean has to offer, including a wealthy cultural legacy, spectacular natural beauty, and friendly people. Because it is so thrilling to talk about going on vacation to Cyprus, the air in this region is often described as having a scent that is reminiscent of honeysuckle and jasmine.

Song Sparrow

The island of Cyprus has long served as a playground for the British, and a vacation there will delight your senses with a rare combination of a perfect Mediterranean climate, rich archaeological inclusion, uninterrupted sunshine, and a variety of entertainment options that you must experience, regardless of whether you visit the North or South side of the island. There is something for everyone to do in Cyprus, whether you want to test your level of adrenaline, relax and appreciate the power of stillness, or seek nirvana along its calm beach. Cyprus has it all. There is something for everyone to do in Cyprus, whether you want to unwind and experience the transformative power of quiet or find nirvana along the island's tranquil shoreline. Everyone experiences a high level of euphoria when they are on vacation in Cyprus. You owe it to yourself to visit Cyprus and see the city lighted up by the setting sun at some point in your life. Cyprus is a beautiful island. This opulent vacation spot is the ideal place to call home for all of life's most memorable experiences because it offers such a wide variety of things to do and see, including water sports, historic ports and castles, restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, and streets that are characterized by their peaceful ambience.

Egrets

The sound of birds singing was what roused me from my sleep this morning. In spite of the fact that my physical self wanted me to remain in bed, my mental self insisted that I open the balcony door and pull the drapes out of the way. In addition to the several sparrows and a pied wagtail that were observed in the flower beds and grass, a couple of Hooded Crows were seen sitting on the antenna of the hotel. It seemed as though no one was on the beach, so it was nice and quiet there. We made the decision to travel to Turkey's Famagusta region to see the Gulseren Lake, which serves as a stopover for migrating flamingos throughout the spring. It took roughly an hour to reach the lake using a path that was less often used. Landscapes in Famagusta and Acapulco are quite unlike to one another. While Famagusta is characterized by its low elevation and plenty of agriculture, Acapulco is characterized by its steep terrain and dry climate. The season of spring had arrived in Cyprus, and the fields were already filled with the sounds of songbirds and crops that were beginning to mature. During the course of the hour-long ride, I was amazed by the quantity of kestrels that I spotted. In huge numbers, the Chaffinch, the Lark, the Sparrow, the Stonechat, the Egret, and the Hooded Crow may all be found in Famagusta.... They much rather sit in the highest branches of the tiniest trees and watch the world below. The lens on my camera performed a wonderful job of discerning individual birds from one another despite the intense brightness of the environment.

Hooded Crow

The advent of the digital era has brought about an increase in the need for visual content, which in turn has brought about an expansion of the photography business. Whether you are an aspiring photographer or a professional photographer, it is important to stay abreast of the ever-shifting trends and emerging technologies in the field of photography. Before I go to a new location, I always research the area to determine if it has any dangerous animals like snakes or crocodiles. Do I come across as foolish? However, these two things give me the creeps to an extreme degree. It was determined via the use of Google that one crocodile in the city of Famagusta was rumored to have been kept as a pet before being unlawfully tossed into the lake. According to the authorities, there was not a single shred of proof to back up this assertion. This continued to give me pause. Due to the lack of information on northern Cyprus that is available on Google, I was completely unaware of the existence of the Gulseren Lake. Gulseren Lake is considered to be on the smaller side. Around the lake were some trees where, if we had our own chairs, we could relax in the shade and have a break. The café had to close during the off-season since there wasn't enough demand to keep it open. It is possible that the lake's water level rises during the rainy season since the banks of the lake were covered with muck and plants during that time. I took precautions to prevent anyone in my household from coming into touch with this grass. Greater flamingos were foraging for food on the lake's surface, and there was a huge group of them. When I first saw these stunning birds in their natural habitat, I was really taken aback by their presence. The only thing left for you to do is get out onto the grass and move forward around 20 feet while taking appropriate safety measures. As soon as I got closer to them, the flamingos started to migrate further away from the lake, where there were bushes and trees that blocked their view of the water. It was far more fun to observe the flamingos instead of trying to photograph them.

Lark

On the third day of our journey, we went back to Gulseren Lake to take in the beauty and look for any little birds that could have been hiding there. On the fourth day, the town of Grine and the Hazreti Omer Turbesi citadel were also explored. It can be challenging for tourists to navigate their way through Grine, a popular tourist attraction, due to the city's winding, one-way streets. It was possible to indulge in authentic Turkish cuisine at any one of a number of restaurants. The water and the coastline could be made out quite well from the highest point of the castle, which offered a breathtaking view. Even though there were a lot of people in town, there were still plenty of birds to look at in and around the castle and in Grine. My initial reaction was one of astonishment when I spotted kestrels sitting atop the chimneys of homes in Grine. When I visit other European towns, I can't help but wonder why there aren't any sparrows in London city. Should there be more shrubs in the heart of London in order to attract these kinds of birds?

Kestrel

On the fourth day of our trip, rather than going anywhere outside of the enormous resort, we decided to take it easy and look around. I did take my camera out of my bag because I wanted to take a photo of the bird that was on the beach. One of the joys of the day was seeing the kestrel that lives at the resort, along with a few butterflies. The next morning, we were required to check out of our hotel and make our way back to Paphos International Airport in time to board our aircraft to the United Kingdom, which was scheduled to depart Paphos International Airport at an ungodly hour. On account of the fact that I was dead-set on witnessing the migratory birds at Larnaca Lake, my companions and I made the decision to take the diversion through Larnaca on this journey. The only way to go from Acapulco to Larnaca is to go through Famagusta. This time, we had more trust in the road that would take us back home than we had in the way that would get us there.

Greater Flamingo

The beauty of Larnaca is enhanced by the presence of a lake that is far larger than the Gulseren lake in Famagusta. Those who enjoy birdwatching or getting in touch with nature may take a moment to unwind in the comfort of their own automobiles while taking in the breathtaking views of the lake and the wildlife that inhabits Larnaca. The appearance of a great day out is created in Larnaca by the presence of an ice cream truck and a few benches. There were strolling paths all around the lake in all directions. There is a good chance of seeing greater flamingos all throughout the lake. It was much easy to photograph flamingos, plovers, and sandpipers in a hidden site close to the Larnaca airport, which is a small piece of a bigger lake. Due to the presence of a significant amount of slushy mud in this region, you should park your vehicle in the appropriate parking lot and walk to the location in question. My family gave me a time slot of two hours that day to work on my photography. Even after we had driven for another one and a half hours to get to the motel, it was already becoming late. It is necessary to go via the community of Kormaktis in order to reach the cape of the same name, which is located in the most northwestern part of Cyprus (Korucam). One of the four Maronite communities on the island of Cyprus, Kormakitis has a history that may be traced back to the eighth century AD. When I initially came, the impression that Cape Kormakitis gives of "merging seas" made a mark on me. A little, rocky island located around 50 metres from the coast's tip is responsible for producing the stunning optical illusion. Due to the fact that it has a metal stairs tower at its very apex, it is not appropriate for people who are cowardly or who are afraid of being in high places. In order to reach the tip of the cape, you will, as a final step, have to go down a dirt road. It is fairly uncommon to see a herd consisting of both sheep and goats.

In a Nutshell!

On our journey to Paphos, I talked my family into making a pit break at the Limassol Salt Lake, which is around an hour's drive from Larnaca. This allowed us to make better use of our time. Everyone had reached their point of exhaustion after a hard day of labor. I'm in. The remainder of the day was spent fruitlessly searching the salt lake in Limassol for anything of interest. As is the case for a great number of other travelers, I have always found myself filled with awe and admiration upon witnessing a breathtaking sunset. Because the lake was so close to our location but still out of reach, we decided to drive around it. Limassol is definitely going on the itinerary on my next trip. I can't wait!

Birds in Malta

Off the coast of North Africa and within the bounds of Sicily in the central Mediterranean sea lies a relatively small European country made up of an essential group of islands known as Malta. The archipelago makes for a beautiful country bathed in brilliant sceneries and architecture. The strategic positioning of the country in the Mediterranean sea allowed it to play a significant role in the succession and development of Europe, Africa, and the middle east, which means that the country has a deep and rich history.

This was the chosen holiday destination for my family and me during the 2021 Christmas period. I had done some research on the country before going and read up about some of the popular activities taken up by the Maltese people, including their tradition of bird hunting that is allowed by the government at least once a year. I have developed a deep interest in birds in general so talking about how they are hunted as a tradition is somewhat difficult for me as it is a sensitive topic. However, I am writing this entry to share my observations and findings regarding the birds in Malta.

The reception upon arrival in the country was great Malta being a European country, is relatively highly developed in terms of convenience and service. I had a taste of this development as we made our way to our beach hotel in a self-driving car in the crisp early evening air swathed by the orange rays of the dusk sun. The transit to the hotel was smooth as I got to see a lot of wonderful scenery along the way. My research into the birds of Malta before coming for this trip had me eager to get the experience of interacting and possibly filming and taking pictures with them. So you can imagine the heightened levels of excitement I felt upon reaching our beach hotel suite only to find a sparrow on the front wall. It was as if it had come there to welcome us to the hotel, but unfortunately, it fluttered away in a scurry when it saw us approaching. Seeing a bird during the first few moments of being at the hotel really got my hopes up about seeing more during our stay in Malta.

However, these high hopes were short-lived as the very next morning, upon waking up, something immediately felt out of place. I lay in my hotel bed for a while before it hit me that it was the deafening silence from outside. Normally I would have woken up to the sound of different bird species doing their various calls in the morning sun, especially the seagulls, which should be in abundance given that we were staying at a beach hotel. But this morning was different, not a single call from a bird from the trees and the open beach.

I made myself a cup of tea and strolled to the balcony to enjoy the morning scenery as I sipped on it. Despite the beautiful scenery of the beach and the sea coupled with the gentle morning sea breeze, I was taken aback by the eerie absence of birds in the area. There was not a single bird in sight, not even a seagull. I thought to myself how many pigeons I would have seen by now had I been in another country. Birds were usually everywhere, at least that is what I thought. During the day, my family and I spent time taking a tour of the beach hotel. They had an excellent facility that upheld luxury and comfort for all its occupants; I was especially fascinated by the well-tended flower beds and bushes that were lining the hotel’s environment. During this tour, I kept an eye out to spot any birds that might be around the bushes or flying across the sky. I have to admit that I was fairly underwhelmed by the presence or lack thereof of the birds in the area. Apart from the occasional one or two sparrows flying by, there was not really much to see in terms of the variety of species of birds that are available in malta.

During the tour, I had the opportunity of meeting the manager in charge of the hotel kitchen. He was a native UK resident. I casually asked him for advice on the best spots for bird watching within the hotel’s facilities without letting him know about my knowledge of birds in Malta. He seemed hesitant at first before he replied by saying that he would have to consult with his friend, who was better versed in the topic of birds and bird watching, and he would get back to me with an answer. I decided to be patient and wait for his advice. After a few days of waiting, it became apparent that it was unlikely that I would get an answer from him any time soon. He started becoming distant and coy all of a sudden. He would even go to the extent of pretending to be busy so as to avoid talking to me. This was at first confusing I wondered why he would behave in this way. Was he trying to give me a warning? I really could not figure it out.

During our stay in Malta, we were able to visit Ghadira Nature Reserve. It is a reserve that has a saltmarsh habitat and a brackish lake. The generally dry climate of Malta makes it hard to find any permanent areas of inland water; as such, the wet marshes in the Ghadira Nature Reserve bares extreme importance in the ecosystems of birds and other natural wildlife. The natural reserve is famous for acting as a stopover point for migrating birds where they can have a rest and refuel before embarking on their long migration journeys. Its small size compared to the UK nature reserves is more than made up for by the breathtaking views of sandy Maltese beaches that face it.

I had the opportunity of getting inside the nature reserve while my family was enjoying time on the beach. As I entered the reserve, I saw a starling picking insects out of the mud near the entrance, which gave me high hopes of seeing more birds. I checked in at the reception desk and was surprised not to be charged any entrance fees. After a brief inquiry, two of the staff that were on duty at the reception told me that the best period for bird watching in the nature reserve was during the spring. This made the thought of April being the peak period for bird hunting in malta pop into my mind. I swiftly moved on from the reception desk and that thought and made my way into the reserve. I took my time walking in the nature reserve, trying to be keen in my observations, but alas, I was only able to spot a few sparrows here and there.

After all this while of largely unsuccessful bird watching attempts and inquiries, I decided not to ruin the rest of my family’s festive holiday with my bird problems. I decided to move on, but I ensured that I carried my camera in my backpack whenever I went with the hope of possibly spotting some birds. During our holiday escapades in the Maltese archipelago, I happened to see several birds, of which I took pictures. I took hundreds of pictures of sparrows, starlings, and Robins. I also had the luck of getting an unclear photo of one lark (still counts) and a couple of ducks. There were more birds that I did not get the chance to capture with my camera, but I was still glad that I saw them. It was as if when I stopped intentionally looking for the birds, they came to find me.

Maltese Architecture:

Given the geographic position and historical function of the country of Malta, one can be sure that the country has a deep and rich history. This is even reflected in their architecture as their buildings show their culture and history. A majority of these buildings are made out of limestone and are built and structured in such a way that they reflect their historical use and purpose. The buildings, in some way, gave me flashbacks to the brilliant architecture that is commonly found in the Ivy League colleges of Oxford and Cambridge, which are made up of limestone, which is one of the oldest building materials used to build strong buildings in the past.

It is fairly common to see sparrows and other birds taking advantage of the gaps in the limestone buildings where they take refuge within these gaps to rest or, as some of the locals would put it, dirty their cars and the walls of the buildings with their waste. Hundreds if not thousands of sparrows and other birds such as pigeons take shelter in these gaps as the walls offer a quick and easy hiding spot for them. These birds are so fond of these gaps in the limestone building that it is almost impossible to get a building without any birds throughout Malta. You would think that the architects purposefully designed the buildings to accommodate them.

I also had the pleasure of visiting the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta – one of the busiest areas of the city. The gardens which were found in the upper tier of St. Peter and Paul Bastion, whose history dates back to the mid-16th century, offer a magnificent panoramic view of the Grand Habor. The rich history of previous civilizations was evident all over the gardens as there were several memorials and monuments of numerous prominent people of the past, such as Sir Thomas Maitland and Gerald Strickland. I thought the excellent views offered by the gardens were a great place to spot some birds. To my delight, I was able to spot a couple of birds from the vantage point offered at the highest point of the city walls and the bordering terrace. This gave me a chance to take more photos of the Sparrows as I enjoyed the views of the lower-lying parts of the Maltese capital, including the shipyard and the Grand Harbor.

Popeye Village was another scenic Maltese destination that I had the pleasure of visiting. The village is largely famous around the world mainly because of its role in the musical production of ‘Popeye’ back in the 1980s. While in the village, I was able to spend find more birds which made me contend considering that I had little luck of seeing them during the earlier days of the trip.

With the country majorly being dry and desert-like, December is Malta's month of winter, with temperatures hitting approximately 20 degrees Celcius; however, to my family and me, this temperature was more like 25 degrees Celcius on our skins. The December climate has significant implications for the flora and fauna of the country as they limit the areas in which birds can take shelter. But within some of the walking trails, there is an abundance of shrubs where I was able to see some birds. I saw this as an opportunity to take pictures of the birds, but it is easier said than done. The birds have adapted to clever ways of escaping being hunted, making it difficult to take pictures. They fly so quickly and very low to the ground to prevent being shot at.

One of the biggest highlights of the trip was the restaurants. It was fairly easier to spot Spanish and Italian sparrows at most restaurants we visited. They have been used to the environment so much that they land on the tables and chairs and the plants outside the facilities. I liked photographing them, but I have to admit it was a little difficult to do given that the local people had hardly ever seen a camera with a telephoto lens before. One waitress told me that she thought I was holding a lamp and using it to ruin the walls! The absence of rivers in the country has made seawater the only source of water for birds; as such, it was easy to find ducks near the nature reserve of Ghadira. I was able to see huge flocks of seagulls on a motorway, but I, unfortunately, could not take their photos as there were no stopping areas for cars because of the coastal cliffs. The birds were clever enough to settle in these places as there was limited human access. However, they are common in other places of the world seen these birds in Malta gave me a lot of excitement.

My overall experience in Malta was one to remember – the sceneries, the people, the food, the birds – everything about the trip was noteworthy. In the end, I felt that I could have probably seen more birds and gotten more pictures of them than I did, but you know what they say; better half a loaf than no bread. Malta is an incredible destination that offers experiences I definitely want to relive.