Taking advantage of the free theme for this week's SMAP, let me show you a couple more species I've found in my last vacations.
Truth be told, the first one can be found throughout all the country, even in urban areas - one just flew in front of my car on my way to work yesterday - and I'm glad it is so, because is a species I love!
This cutie appeared in the middle of the trail, I didn't even saw her flying since I was distracted trying to spot hawks. But as I looked to the trail ahead... there she was!
How cool are these birds?? They're impossible to confuse with any other species, given their shape and colour pattern.
This one was jumping around, scouting the ground for snacks. She seemed to notice me, but since I stood still and was at a decent distance, she probably decided I wasn't a threat and went on with the exploration.
Their crest is one of the most distinctive features, and 99% of the time I always see them with their crest tucked, but this time, for some brief instants...
Magic happened! And being able to catch it on camera felt even better!
The next species is truly a "bird from the south", since they one appear on the southern part of the country. And they're special, since they are endemic, meaning the only place in the world where you can see this species is here, in the Iberian Peninsula.
There is a nearly identical species in Asia, but genetics said they are different species, so no questions: it's truly a rarity! 
As the hoopoes, the identification is straightforward, since there are no similar species: black head, with bautiful blue colour in tail and wing feathers. And it's common to see them in groups, which makes them even easier to spot!
Sometimes the hard part is being able to get decent photos, since they don't seem to stand still for long. Fortunately for me, this time I was able to get a couple decent shots; and even more important, I was able to admire tons of them! :)
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