RIYADH: The northern province of Jouf in Saudi Arabia is home to migratory birds that have attracted enthusiastic wildlife photographers from around the region.
It is situated along an annual migratory path, and is also home to a diverse range of local species.
Photographer Nader Al-Shammari highlighted his experience of documenting local and migratory birds.
He began photographing birds in 2011 and focuses mainly on shooting in Jouf region, although his hobby has taken him on trips to the far south of Asir, and outside Saudi Arabia.
Al-Shammari has documented more than 230 species of birds in Jouf, out of the 507 registered species in Saudi Arabia.
He explained that Jouf has the ideal geographical diversity and climate to host the wide variety of bird species that pass through it.
In addition, he said it is a strategic location on the bird migratory path and also has natural features which serve as a backdrop for his photography.
His photographs frame the region’s mountains, deserts, sabkhas (salt flats), inland waters and agricultural areas.
Many migratory and visiting birds will stay in the Kingdom for months. Some of the most well-known species include the wood pigeon, large-billed lark, Scops owl, golden eagle, long-eared owl, ashy drongo, white-throated swallow, black tern, Eurasian hoopoe, blackbird and greater hoopoe lark.
