The first time I ever saw a hoopoe was in 2008 on the île d'Oléron, just off the French Atlantic coast not far north of Bordeaux. I wrote about it here (two linked posts). We knew there were hoopoes around the vineyard this year because we've been hearing their distinctive poo-opp-poo call in the distance. I didn't expect to see one so close to the house.
P.S. France has been experiencing a large number of hailstorms this month. Hailstones the size of ping-pong balls or even tennis balls have fallen all around Saint-Aignan, — as close as 10 miles north in the town of Contres. We have been spared. We got more than an inch of rain over the past two or three days, but no hail.
Thanks for the heads up on the hailstorms - I've seen no news coverage of this here. The videos on the net are quite shocking, lots of damage. But the bird above is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI was afraid to take the car out today to go shopping. Storm clouds were moving in from the west. But we just had some light rain. I parked in a new covered parking lot at the supermarket just in case hail starting falling. The reports of damage from hailstones has been eye-opening.
DeleteAn exciting sighting. I saw my first and only pair here 5 years ago, close-up and for quite a while. Had no idea what it was at that moment but soon learned.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of the bird,
ReplyDeleteThanks. I wish I had grabbed the long-zoom camera.
DeleteWhat a beautiful bird! Lewis built a robin nesting box that is on our front porch. We have three babies that are growing quickly.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird and great pictures!
ReplyDeleteBettyAnn
What an amazing bird....I am going to share this with my bird watcher brother!
ReplyDeleteFirst time I've even heard the name! Fun to learn about this striking coloring and topknot! Tennis-ball-sized hail ! Lucky there was covered parking you could choose.
ReplyDelete