Common Wood Pigeons (Columba palumbus)

Tejo Internacional, Portugal

In the evening, thousands of Common Wood Pigeons gather in dormitories where they spend the night. This happens during autumn and winter, especially in the vast areas of meadows with Cork and Holly Oaks. They provide great shows of shadows on a worm background, allowing for rather unusual photographical options.

Nikon D3s + Nikon 500mm f4 VR
iso 200, 1/10, f8

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Tejo Internacional, Portugal

After many years, animals occupy man-built spaces. In this shed made of shale slabs, once a pigpen for a rural family, a Red Fox looks for food. The abandon of fields is often favourable to wild species.

Nikon D300 + Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR + 3x Nikon SB-26 + Jama BIR2
iso 400, 1/250, f8

Stone Marten (Martes foina)

Tejo Internacional, Portugal

Nights are peopled by strange creatures that hunt in the bushes and woods. A Stone Marten sleeps during the day and when it gets dark goes looking for small birds, mice or even berries to eat. While not actually rare, it is seldom seen all the same, remaining totally unknown for most people.

Nikon D300 + Nikon 60mm f2.8 AFS + 2x Nikon SB-26 + Jama BIR2
iso 800, 1/250, f7.1

Red Kite (Milvus milvus)

Tejo Internacional, Portugal

Red Kites and other migrant birds arrive with the cold season. Mimicry is not exactly a defense or hunting strategy for these birds, even though this specimen appears to have resorted to camouflage while resting on a small shale slab.

Nikon D300 + Nikon 500mm f2.8 VR + Nikon TC14-E II 1.4x teleconverter
iso 200, 1/1000, f5.6