I recently returned from a trip to Spain to photograph Iberian Lynx with Julian Terreros-Martin.

We were in Spain for 6 days, with 2 travel days and 4 days in dedicated photography hides. These hides overlook watering holes which are a vital resource for the Lynx in the hot summer months, as such there is a good chance they will visit these hides at either end of the hot days, either before the temperatures increase at sunrise or as it begins to cool around sunset.

28th July 2024.

During our first evening in Spain we decided to get out for a bit of a safari-style activity, looking for wildlife on some of the dirt tracks in the area. We had sightings of Imperial Eagle, Booted Eagle, Red Kites, Black Kites, a range of smaller birds such as Hoopoe, Crested Larks and Bee Eaters.

29th July 2024.

The next morning we were out of the door at 5:30 am to be settled in our hides by sunrise. After arriving at the location and being driven to our hide by 4x4 we were only in position for a short time before the first Lynx of the trip appeared. Expertly predicted by Julian after noticing the Magpies behaviour changing.

Iberian Lynx, Spain. 29th July 2024.

Our first encounter was a very lucky one. We saw one mother with three young initially and shortly after they left we were treated to another visit from another mother with two young.

This made a total of seven Lynx sighted within our first hour in the hides. The latter visit was a little bit later on and so thankfully we had improved lighting for photography.

After a morning session in the hide we’d pop in to the local supermarket to get some lunch before heading back to the hotel for a well deserved siesta and a quick editing session to review the images and videos captured from the morning.

We made our way back to the hides at 6pm for our afternoon session but unfrotunately we used up all of our luck during the morning. It was still a great opportunity to capture some other species that were regular visits to the watering hole such as Corn Buntings bathing and the Iberian Green Woodpecker.

Iberian Green Woodpecker, Spain. 29th July 2024.

A couple of Cervezas and some food followed our evening session before heading back to the hotel to squeeze in a few hours of sleep before our 5am start the following day, where our luck continued.

30th July 2024.

It was a cloudy morning with little activity until we spotted some of the rabbit running through the shrubbery ahead of us. As I said “I wonder what they’re running from” a beautiful male Lynx came in to view in the distance just as the light broke through the haze, giving us lovely diffused morning light.

Iberian Lynx, Male, Spain. 30th July 2024.

As the Lynx approached he paused and the perfect spot to capture his reflection in the watering hole in front of us before puffing out his beard and making his way closer for a drink. The path this Lynx decided to walk made for some perfect reflection shots.

This was one of those rare sightings where everything comes together at the perfect time. These moments are few and far between in wildlife photography and we couldn’t believe our luck.

The rest of the session passed quickly as we still processed the Lynx encounter. We did photograph some of the other regulars and heard a Little Owl calling in the area. We hoped the Owl would come for a drink but we clearly already had our fair share of luck this morning.

After our session we did the usual call at the local supermarket to pick up some lunch and snacks. I should have spent less time processing images and more time on my siesta but I was far too excited to sleep!

As with every day, the time between sessions went quickly and we returned to the hides that evening.

Unfortunately we had no Lynx sighting this evening but again there was always an abundance of the regular visitors to photograph. This time we had visits from the Iberian Magpie for the first time and we practiced some backlit shots, wishing the Lynx would arrive in this beautiful lighting but enjoying none-the-less.

Iberian Green Woodpecker, Spain. 30th July 2024.

By now we’d established a good routine and after leaving our hide again went for some dinner, a few cervezas before heading to the hotel for our well deserved 4-5 hours of sleep.

31st July 2024

The next morning session was another without a Lynx sighting, but the anticipation of one potentially turning up coupled with the regular array of interesting birds and rabbits kept us entertained. This time we spotted a new bird at the watering hole, and a lifer for me, in the way of the Sardinian Warbler.

The evening session of the 31st July looked like it was going to be similar to the day before, we practiced some backlit shots of the regular visitors and eagerly awaited a thirsty Lynx.

Just as I was preparing to pack up my camera a Lynx appeared in the fading light, followed by two young. I managed to get some sharp photos with a slower shutter to keep my iso at a reasonable level before attempting some very slow shutter shots of the young Lynx as a disappeared back in to the foliage.

Iberian Lynx, Spain. 31st July 2024.

This was a brief but exciting encounter. I’m very pleased with my images here considering the challenging lighting conditions. The slower shutter photo I think works well in the context and I’m very happy to come away with something a bit more abstract that the other portraits and environmental portraits.

Just 5 minutes after the Lynx left the hide the 4x4 arrived to pick us up and return us to our car. We made our way back to the local town for another couple of beers and this time some absolutely massive sandwiches.

1st August 2024

Another healthy 4 hours of sleep later we were back at the hides for our final morning. We weren't lucky enough to see the Lynx this morning but again we had beautiful morning light to capture images of the other species in the area. We later heard that the Lynx were spotted elsewhere, with a young Lynx climbing a tree in front of another hide! While I was extremely jealous and wished we saw this, it just made me excited about the possibility of capturing this sort of behaviour in this area, as well as absolutely thrilled for those who witnessed this.

Another morning session down, another trip to the local supermarket to pick up our lunch and some snacks.

We had one more evening session at a location where we knew backlit images would be incredible. We eagerly waited in the hide awaiting the Lynx, wishing one would walk in a particular spot so that we could get an image of it silhouetted against the evening light as it picked out the details in it’s fur. There was a moment or two where we heard a pheasant from behind us let out a pained squawk, which led us to believe the Lynx was hunting in the area. There was even a momentary glimpse of one in the foliage off to the side, but unfortunately a real visit wasn't to be. While 4 sightings in 4 days would have been incredible, we knew this would have been very lucky too. We managed to get sightings worthy of good images 3 of the 4 days we were there which was a very successful trip. I also still captured some other images of the regular wildlife in the positions I was hoping the Lynx would be.

Iberian Green Woodpecker, Spain. 1st August 2024.

This was an exceptional trip, and besides the amazing Lynx encounters there was opportunity to capture portfolio worthy images of other species that visited the watering holes.

If you are interested in photographing one of the rarest felines in the world in the Iberian Lynx then I highly recommend getting in touch with Julian. I believe he has limited availability for 2025 which may be the last year he runs these trips. You can message him on his instagram by clicking the button below.

Julians Instagram

Camera Bag:

Nikon Z9

Nikon 400mm 2.8 TC VR S

Nikon Zf

Nikon 24-70 2.8 S

Nikon 14-24 2.8 S