Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse - Pterocles exustus
I was out at Radio City doing an interview on Dubai Eye on Thursday morning at 7.15 am and I had the wit to throw my camera bag and bins into the car before I set off. From there it was an easy hop onto the Emirates Road (which has changed its name to I don't know what now) to get across to the Pivot Fields for a quick drop in before work. Not much was doing and then I noticed a pair of handsome Sandgrouse that were clearly different from the Pin-tailed that I saw recently for the first time out at Bab Al Shams - the Dubai desert conservation area.
Above is clearly the male bird and below is the female. While the colours on the female are not bright the markings are stunning. You can see how at range they would just blend into the floor of piece of semi-desert.
I don't know why I do it but sometimes I just want to get out of the car to get down at ground level to take some better shots. It never works but I managed on this occasion to get a shot of the pair flying off (in this case away from the sunrise).
Its the end of the rugby season now so I have my full weekends back. I have some business travel coming up - the UK next week then I am actually on a conference on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean. Now that could be embarrassing as its all the partners from my firm and I am not sure what they will think about a loony with a telephoto camera out on deck at strange hours trying for seabirds. Its a definate opportunity to get some different pictures. The boat is at sea for 2 nights I think cruising from Barcelona to Cannes and back (we are not allowed off the boat though !). In the UK I have a seminar to give in London but I could definately get to Barn Elms on the Friday perhaps or slightly further afield. So some good opportunities coming up in May to get some shots of birds I cannot see here in Dubai. Happy days.
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus
Dubai, Pivot Fields
2 May 2013
