Review By Ross Blake - Gary Burns Bird Guide UAE

Jan 23

I am an amateur wildlife photographer, currently located in British Columbia, Canada.  I have lived and travelled to many countries across the globe (including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait) and try to incorporate my hobby wherever I can.  I currently shoot with a Canon 5Div with a 100-400mm f/4.5–5.6L IS II USM lens.

When scoping out wildlife photography locations before trips, I often search for information online.  In recent years, I have found many pages are clickbait for tours and don’t provide much information, so I often use Instagram hashtags to find accounts, then look through for location ideas.  Because I was going to be in the UAE for a few weeks, exploring areas which I had not visited before, I was looking for interesting locations off the tourist path. 

I came across Gary’s Instagram account quite quickly through this process, amongst a handful of other resident photographers.  I reached out to Gary asking for some location ideas, knowing that wildlife photographers are often quite secretive and don’t want tourists to overrun sensitive areas.

Gary offered to give me some ideas, but then offered to take me out as a guide.  I jumped at the opportunity, as he clearly knew where to find so many amazing species, especially his favourite Little Owls.

We met early in the morning (still dark) and discussed what I wanted to see along with the sensitivity of the area.  I come from a Zoology and Ecology background, so I was very understanding about the need to protect the habitats and not impact the wildlife there.

We ventured into the Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve just before dawn and almost immediately saw Arabian Oryx, a species that is a true conservation success story starting in Oman. 

We headed to Gary’s favourite spot to see the Little Owls that he is so fond of, and we were lucky to catch one.  As the light was still quite poor, we endeavoured to venture elsewhere and return later.  We came across a herd of Arabian Sand Gazelle frolicking over the dunes.  We looked at a few other locations with no luck, as is standard with wildlife photography.

As the sun slowly rose over the sand, Gary spotted a Common Kestrel enjoying a fresh kill.  We were comparing equipment, and I mentioned that I was always interested in the Sigma 150-600mm and how I chose my Canon 100-400mm instead.  Gary offered to swap lenses for a few minutes to see, and I obliged.  I was grateful for the offer to experience the lens hands on and perfectly portrays Gary’s generous nature.

As we continued, we saw a Marsh Harrier soaring, then bathing near the lakes along with a Greater hoopoe-lark.  The sun was finally providing enough light, so we headed back to the Little Owl location.

Gary’s love for these owls cannot be exaggerated.  He clearly has spent so much time appreciating them and speaks so fondly of them as a species.  I was able to capture some beautiful shots with his expert knowledge and I know that I would never have been able to without his experience.  I took hundreds of exposures, with so many turning out perfectly.  It also helps that the Little Owls are photogenic and make good models.  These were by far my favourite photos of 2021.

To ensure that we would see more wildlife before it got too hot, we continued into the conservation area and spotted more Arabian Sand Gazelle and even a few Mountain Gazelle.  We saw another Kestrel from a distance, along with a Desert Wheatear and a number of Great Grey Shrikes and an eagle from a distance.

I had mentioned to Gary that I experienced no luck in finding a Dhub (Arabian Spiny-tailed Lizard), and of course Gary knew a spot.  We snuck up on a colony sunning themselves on the desert rocks.

We then headed to the Al Qudra Lakes.  We saw Squacco Herons, Black-winged Stilts, Common Snipes, Great Cormorants, Guineafowl and various other waterfowl.  We ended our morning finding another Kestrel close enough for some amazing shots.

I can’t recommend Gary enough as a guide.  He was gracious and informed, caring and enthusiastic, knowledgeable and fun.  We talked about photography and equipment, wildlife and travel, music and food, and we talked about conservation.  We discussed other locations around the UAE, as I had been in Ajman and UAQ directly beforehand, and had found some good photography locations, and I still wanted to explore Dubai parks more.  I was so glad that I found his Instagram account and reached out, and so glad that Gary was happy to take me out.  I took photos which I would never have been able to on my own, especially of the little Owls, and for that I am so thankful.  I will definitely be reaching out to Gary next time I am in the UAE for another morning adventure in the desert.

I currently post as @rossblakephotography on Instagram and I am starting to build my travel website at www.rossblaketravel.com.