Clouds appear, but they dissipate inside Etosha dryness. They produce an impressive, constantly changing light. The mood is worth a hundred panoramic shots of the wide, dry plain, savanna light, a lonely one Zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) in the salt pan. Then suddenly there is movement between the thorny bushes. A courting male bustard who… Continue reading A love-struck Red-crested Bustard in the bush
Category: Bird Trips (Pictures & Stories)
What could be seen, what to see, the landscape…
Andean Cock-of-the-rock at Tunquini Field Station near La Paz
The caravan that sets off from Chailo over a swaying suspension bridge could be perfectly captured in any slave film. It is a humid midday heat when we arrive on an November day at the place that lies at the entrance to the Tunquini Field Station – Chailo. But the legendary Andean Cock-of-the-rock is said… Continue reading Andean Cock-of-the-rock at Tunquini Field Station near La Paz
Mouse-colored Tyrannulet panting on its nest
In a mesothermal valley with a well-established cactus vegetation in Bolivia, where the sun paints the sky in shades of orange and pink, a pair of Mouse-colored Tyrannulets (Phaeomyias murina) have found a remarkable breeding site. Nestled in the protective branches of a thorn bush, her tiny nest houses 5 eggs that will soon be… Continue reading Mouse-colored Tyrannulet panting on its nest
A Pair of Red-breasted Mergansers passing the cliffs of Kilcummin Head
Standing on the windswept cliffs on the rugged coastline of northwestern Ireland, I gaze out over the open water, scanning the horizon for signs of life. Standing on Kilcummin Head, called Benwee Head also, I watch long chains of shearwaters skimmed the surface of the ocean, riding the wind effortlessly. Among the species present, the… Continue reading A Pair of Red-breasted Mergansers passing the cliffs of Kilcummin Head
Hoatzin on a Nest in Manu National Park
As the sun filters through the dense foliage of Manu National Park, I find myself on a quiet trail by the riverbank, scanning the treetops. Suddenly, the unmistakable silhouette of a Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) appears, perched delicately on a nest. This bird is a wonder, both ancient and peculiar, and here in the heart of… Continue reading Hoatzin on a Nest in Manu National Park
Dance of Dolphins and Seabirds
This time the off-shore waters of the west coast of Ireland with Blacksod Sea Safari is going on. On the trip to the Atlantic we pass the island of Inishkea. Eventually we are surrounded by the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean.In the distance, I spot the distinctive white wings of Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) diving… Continue reading Dance of Dolphins and Seabirds
Temminck Sunbird Female in Trus Madi Forest Reserve
The red flowers of a hibiscus are worth a photo alone. All the nicer if you can “garnish” the strange flowers with a few species of birds. In any case, a hibiscus bush, perhaps the species Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, particularly attracted the sunbirds. It was located directly behind the washrooms of the Borneo Jungle Girls Camp… Continue reading Temminck Sunbird Female in Trus Madi Forest Reserve
Flight Dynamics of Northern Atlantic Shearwaters: A Comparative Insight
We are on a pelagic trip, this is a seabird watching tour. This time a stretch of water off-shore the west coast of Ireland with Blacksod Sea Safari is approached. On the trip to the Atlantic we pass the island of Inishkea. Eventually we are surrounded by the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean. The sun… Continue reading Flight Dynamics of Northern Atlantic Shearwaters: A Comparative Insight
Exploring the Pelagic Birds of the Atlantic: A Glimpse at Leach’s Storm-Petrel
We are on a seabird watching tour west of Ireland with Blacksod Sea Safari. On the trip to the Atlantic we pass the island of Inishkea, which my skipper, Toby, highly recommends to me because of the many breeding birds – probably also Storm Petrels – in summer. But I’m not in the mood for… Continue reading Exploring the Pelagic Birds of the Atlantic: A Glimpse at Leach’s Storm-Petrel
Birdwatching at Downpatrick Head: A Seabird Spectacle in Ireland
Perched on the wild and rugged coastline of County Mayo, Downpatrick Head offers bird enthusiasts a front-row seat to one of nature’s most captivating spectacles. Whether you’re drawn to the thrill of seabird colonies in summer or the dynamic migration activity in autumn, this iconic location promises a rewarding experience. During the summer months, the… Continue reading Birdwatching at Downpatrick Head: A Seabird Spectacle in Ireland
Spotted Nutcracker in the Nockberge in Austria
One afternoon we almost finished our hike through the Nockberge-mountains. In some spruce trees, we saw a family of Spotted Nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes). The followed us for several minutes and gave excellent views. The term “Nocke” refers to the rounded shapes of the mountains in the southern Austrian Alps, which reach up to 2,400 meters… Continue reading Spotted Nutcracker in the Nockberge in Austria
Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) on Mallorca
Spotting Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) in mid-April can be quite futile. By then, these falcons are still en route to their summer destinations in the Mediterranean, typically arriving in late April and May. Although I have never visited the island due to its popularity among tourists, a friend shared a memorable experience. During his visit,… Continue reading Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) on Mallorca