Here’s to the little ones who know how to own a moment. This White-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucotis) was nestled deep in a thicket of palm fronds in Riyadh, and yet, despite the camouflage, its presence felt anything but hidden. Perched delicately on a thin twig, fluffed up like it just stepped out of a desert spa, this puffball of personality was a joy to capture.
There’s something endlessly photogenic about bulbuls — that bold black mask, white cheek patch, and of course, the unexpected pop of fire-orange under the tail that turns every shot into a tiny visual explosion. And this particular bird? It gave attitude, with eyes sharp and posture proud, as if it had just survived a sandstorm and was ready for its close-up.
Shot with my Sony A7R V, I waited for the breeze to calm and the light to soften, letting the bokeh turn into a creamy dance of greens and golds behind our feathered star. Riyadh may be better known for its skyscrapers and souks, but look closer, and the city pulses with wild, natural rhythms — feathered, fluttering, and free.
📍 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
📸 Sony A7R V + 70–350mm
✨ ISO 320, f/6.3, 1/800 sec
Are you team Red-vented or White-eared when it comes to bulbuls? I honestly can’t choose — but this one made a pretty strong case. 💬
#WhiteEaredBulbul #BirdsOfRiyadh #UrbanWildlife #SonyAlpha #FluffyBirds #DesertBirds #MiddleEastNature #BirdPortrait #NatureLovers #CapturedMoments
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