I never really know what to write to "end" a chapter or when a project comes to an end. This year is no exception, although I made an effort to leave a brief reflection on what this year was like. Will anyone read it? Maybe 200 years from now, someone will find it amusing to see what life was like back in 2024.
January
The first big change came right at the start of the year when I moved from Lisbon to Vila do Conde! I brought with me all the stuff of a Lego and Star Wars enthusiast, my extensive photography gear, including hides, nets, and tripods, and, of course, my tennis racket bag! It was a major change for a new life, one that would bring fresh challenges for wildlife photography. It was a "new" place to explore. January, therefore, was a month of hopping around, much like the sanderlings along the beach. It wasn’t the most productive photography month, although I did lead two guided photo tours. However, while helping participants take great photos, I didn’t take many myself.
February
I finally managed to carve out some time to take photos and went straight for a group of animals I adore! To most people, they’re "creepy" or "disgusting." I’m talking about amphibians, and here near my new home, it was a festival of them. I was able to capture some shots I’d always dreamed of and left eager to try new ideas, which, unfortunately, I didn’t get to execute. Now it’s a matter of waiting for the rains of 2025 to try again.
March
It was quite a hectic month, so the solution to the lack of field outings was to book a session in one of Carlos Miguel’s hides. For those who don’t know, Carlos manages Mirasado and Mourisca Hides, offering a series of wildlife photography hides. During slower months, I take the opportunity to visit. It’s a way to get back into photography, capture some fresh shots, and, above all, support a friend in this fantastic project. This month, I visited the oak woodland hide with Vanessa so she could also take photos. The next day, I went to the water rail hide, which was excellent, leaving with two full memory cards.
April
April took me to our neighbors' lands, where I had the chance to guide a two-week birdwatching tour across Portugal and Spain. Visiting some surprising natural spaces was a delight for the participants and me. It left the idea of repeating the experience—maybe even creating something similar focused on photography (if I find the time to prepare it).
May
This was perhaps one of the toughest months! Photography took a back seat, only becoming a priority towards the end of the month when I managed to photograph some plovers near my home by sheer luck. Family issues kept me mostly at home instead of out in the field.
June
In an atypical June, dominated by cooler temperatures and bad weather, I only took photos during planned outings or on a stormy day, hoping to find some lost birds. The firefly outing ended up being canceled, as only one of the 16 registered participants showed up! Naturally, I stayed and photographed the fireflies alone. I still haven’t edited those photos. In a workshop I held in Loures, I ended up photographing plenty of insects, which was a fun challenge.
July
After months without seeing her, I finally managed to organize an outing with Davina Falcão, who runs Cobras de Portugal. If you don’t know her work, go check it out! Besides being a fantastic illustrator whose work often resembles photographs, she’s a great friend. Unfortunately, distance usually keeps us from meeting up more often. This outing was special—we found a beautiful horned viper that let us take several photos. During our short hike, I also captured some great insect shots, which went unedited for a while.
August
The big adventure filled the entire month of August: Madagascar! It was a fantastic experience, and even now, I’m still processing everything that happened. Huge thanks to the entire team! Check out the blog posts about Madagascar.
September
Returning to Portugal felt strange—it was hotter here than in Madagascar! Soon, a new adventure awaited. Vanessa was set to speak at one of the most important bat conferences, held in Tarragona! As biologists, we took the opportunity to explore parts of Spain and visit some hotspots. One of my dreams came true: seeing and photographing an Iberian lynx! I haven’t shared much about this trip yet, as we truly returned home only after these two weeks in Spain.
October
The first week of October is always the toughest as it coincides with the Sagres Birdwatching Festival, and this year was no exception. The atmosphere is always amazing, and it’s great to reconnect with dear friends. During the festival, I managed to snap some photos, especially in my favorite spots. The rest of the month was spent exploring the beach near home, photographing plovers and turnstones.
November
This month, we tagged bats, and soon we’ll reveal where they traveled in the following weeks. On one particularly warm day, we took advantage of the calm sea to do some snorkeling and check out the underwater life near us. I also took the opportunity to photograph a rare bird that appeared in the area and caught up with some friends.
December
And so, December arrived! A visit to EVOA allowed me to photograph and film some birds. Another trip to Carlos Miguel’s hides—this time to photograph the bluethroat—was a highlight. In the year’s final days, I’ve been visiting the beach to capture images of the birds seeking food and refuge here. The year wraps up with a compilation of these photos, reflecting on the species I managed to photograph and all I achieved in 2024, while looking ahead to 2025. Plans are already in motion, but I’ll keep them under wraps for now!
Thank you to everyone who joined me on these adventures!
WATCH MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS
I’ve created several videos on wildlife photography, explaining how to photograph various species and the best techniques. From coastal birds to the stunning kingfisher, I hope you enjoy this small playlist. Don’t forget to leave a like on the videos!
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