Last week, I returned from a 16 day photo holiday to Northern and Central Spain with a friend.

After a long drive from Madrid to Cremenes - 5 hours or so - the next morning - the 20th May, we were ready for action. We were collected from our hotel at 06:30 and taken to Los Pandellos, an area in the hills with a couple of hides to attract raptors. Food duly placed and it was not long before the first visitors - Ravens - arrived.

Black Kite then began circling and occasionally diving in for the food.

Then the onslaught began with Griffon Vultures flying in and literally taking the area over.

A lone Common Buzzard crept in, took some food and then flew off

and even an Egyptian Vulture dropped in but, being considerably smaller that the Griffin Vultures, stayed on  the sidelines.

Finally, the bird that I had been waiting for - Golden Eagle - suddenly appeared but just under the brow of the hill. I have never photographed one before so considerable excitement

but it did not stay long, flying off away from us so only a few shots but better then nothing.

By 11.am, it was all over so back to the hotel for lunch and prepare for the afternoon session on another site.