The Cunning Magpie: A Feathered Hunter’s Encounter with a Serpent in Romania

In the wilderness, nature stages captivating dramas that unfold in completely unexpected ways. Today the scene is in Bucharest. Unfortunately, Stirbey Park is filled with horrible, loud gypsy music. It’s a shame, nowhere is you safe from it. We check out different places. But nothing to see. In the heart of the park, which features… Continue reading The Cunning Magpie: A Feathered Hunter’s Encounter with a Serpent in Romania

Pied Lapwing on boat trip at Rio Aquidauana

Due to the long drive from Campo Grande to the Pousada Toca da Onca, I arrived on the first day in the southern Pantanal in the late afternoon. But it was not too late to join a boat trip. It is very cloudy, but also very warm and humid. The clouds in the sky indicated… Continue reading Pied Lapwing on boat trip at Rio Aquidauana

Andean Cock-of-the-rock at Tunquini Field Station from a camouflage tent

A beautiful day announces itself with a perfect starry sky. So I can really throw myself into the adventure. First I try my luck with the Nikon Nikkor AF-I 4.0/ 600 on the Nikon F 5 set up on the fruiting single tree on the slope where I couldn’t find anything yesterday. I’ve barely taken… Continue reading Andean Cock-of-the-rock at Tunquini Field Station from a camouflage tent

Good tips for a trip to the Kakamega Forest

If you are keen to hear the morning roar of the Guerezas (Colobus guereza), just one of seven resident monkey species in the heart of western Kenya, and see a Green Hylia (Hylia prasina) or a Yellowbill (Ceuthmochares aereus) in the semi-darkness of the forest, you should take your time for the Kakamega forest in… Continue reading Good tips for a trip to the Kakamega Forest

Epaulet Oriole in the Pantanal: Taxonomy issues

The morning is still fresh and I want to visit the light gallery forest within the Fazenda in the morning. Again a great sunrise. I start walking with my Nikon Nikkor AF-I 300mm f/2.8 D ED on a Gitzo Monopod and a Metz flash MZ-5. Right at the beginning, there is light forest with its… Continue reading Epaulet Oriole in the Pantanal: Taxonomy issues

Andean Motmot at the nest in Tunquini Field Station

After a successful morning, I try my luck as a photographer with the Nikon Nikkor AF-I 4.0/ 600 on the Nikon F 5 on another slope. First I try to photograph a few birds with the 600 set up directly at the houses of the Tunquini Biological Station. I do see a Andean Motmot or… Continue reading Andean Motmot at the nest in Tunquini Field Station

In the heart of western Kenya: a trip to the Kakamega Forest

In the heart of western Kenya, where the sun bathes the landscape in shades of gold, lies the Kakamega Forest – a realm full of ancient trees, vibrant birdlife and secrets that whisper in the rustling of leaves. Before dawn, in the light of the moonlight, I make my way to a small hill on… Continue reading In the heart of western Kenya: a trip to the Kakamega Forest

Bornean Banded Pitta at the montane hill forests at Trus Madi Forest Reserve

Eventually a Bornean Banded Pitta (Hydrornis schwaneri) shows up in the arena of a shady wood on a steep slope. We sit side by side in a dark hideout that barely has slots for camera lenses. We’ve been waiting for a good 1 hour. There she is: the beauty. The Bornean Banded Pitta is a… Continue reading Bornean Banded Pitta at the montane hill forests at Trus Madi Forest Reserve

Wet Greater Coucal after rain

A black and brown bird stands soaking wet on a branch in the curve of the country road. A Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) was completely rained on by the tropical storm. Now he stands uncertainly on his branch in front of the approaching car and actually wants to shake himself thoroughly and dry himself. The… Continue reading Wet Greater Coucal after rain

Bornean Banded Pitta with an annoying guest on beak

A Bornean Banded Pitta (Hydrornis schwaneri) has been standing in front of the hiding place in a shady area of the forest already for a while. The Borneo Banded Pitta skillfully catches the delicacies – mealworms – that our guide has scattered. Suddenly an insect, an ant or a termite, can be seen beautifully on… Continue reading Bornean Banded Pitta with an annoying guest on beak

Buffy Fish-Owl with rat

After successful daytime birding, we go on the night drive around 8 p.m. The boat trip will be undertaken with a total of 3 employees from the lodge – including Nelson. One holds the lamp, one drives, and Nelson adds his two cents. The hit of the evening should be of course the Buffy Fish-Owl… Continue reading Buffy Fish-Owl with rat

The Nuthatch: distributed in China too

A Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) perches on a branch and surveys its surroundings with its beady eyes. Its small, round body is well camouflaged against the bark of the tree. With its long, pointed beak, it scans the cracks in the bark for insects, spiders and other small prey. It also eats nuts, seeds, and… Continue reading The Nuthatch: distributed in China too