Recently, I was delighted to have a chat with Paul Gerace, a keen bird photographer, who has exhibited his photographs at two previous bird festivals in Sagres. He has been invited again to display his work at this year’s festival and will have a booth inside the tent outside Fort Beliche, where the main event takes place. He told me his story and explained his latest creations.
After retiring, Paul decided to move, along with his partner Caesar, from the USA to Costa Rica, a haven for tropical birds like the macaw and the toucan. After several years, they decided to move to Portugal – “a beautiful country, friendly people and a more temperate climate with a huge diversity of birds.” They have lived in Lagos, Portugal, since 2020.
In five years, Paul has amassed a large collection of local bird photographs as well as migratory species that pass across Sagres and the Iberian Peninsula in autumn on their way to sub-Saharan Africa. Birds include raptors (birds of prey with keen eyesight, strong curved beaks and sharp talons), wading birds like storks, diving birds, soaring sea birds and smaller insectivores. It seems incredible that a small insect-eating bird like the bee-eater can migrate all the way to South Africa.
Paul showed me one of his photos of a pair of bee-eaters during courtship and explained their unusual lifestyle. Apparently, they are monogamous and, before coupling, they perform amazing rituals. The male offers the female insects (bees, wasps, hornets, etc) as nuptial gifts, first removing the stingers by pounding them on a branch. Then they perform a dance with tail wagging and calls. The common waxbill, depicted here, is not a long-distance migratory species, but it originated in sub-Saharan Africa. It arrived in Portugal in the late 60s and decided to stay. This colourful species is widespread and can be seen in wetlands and reedbeds.
The northern gannet is a seabird with incredible diving speeds and is a common sight off the São Vicente peninsula, where Fort Beliche is located. Ocean currents off the coast produce an upwelling that brings nutrients to the surface, attracting fish: sardines, anchovies and mackerel, and subsequently a plethora of seabirds.
Paul has now produced two books; one is Birds of Portugal – Lagos and the Surrounding Area. It’s a collection of 78 pages showcasing 132 of his favourite images of 60 different species of birds in their environment. He also includes locations where they can be found. Bird names are in English and Portuguese.
Paul’s other publication is Look up (Olhe para Cima). It’s a fascinating combination of AI and a selection of specially chosen photographs. He explains that it was inspired by “my love of birds, photography and concern for the environment. I hope that by sharing these illustrations and information with children, they will develop an increased interest in caring for the environment, allowing these birds to thrive and multiply. The birds in the illustrations are based on my own bird photos. The colourful illustrations were created by a collaboration between me and AI, using my knowledge of the environments where the birds are found.”
Paul also exhibits some of his photography in Lagos. The exhibition is called ‘The Coastline of Lagos & the Surrounding Areas.’ It’s being held at the Mercaria Bio Cafe near the Levante Market. His books are available on Saturdays when he is there, or contact Paul directly: pgerace@aol.com
You can access Paul’s books here:
