White-bellied Fish-Eagle in Yala NP

If you are an eagle fan and think that there are masses of White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) on the Volga or even think that Brandenburg is densely populated with this bird species, you really have to go to the Lunugamvehera National Park in the south of Sri Lanka. Such a density of large fish-eating eagles… Continue reading White-bellied Fish-Eagle in Yala NP

Northern Gannets and other seabirds on Heligoland

A deafening screeching can be heard from afar. The colors shine in a unique soft pink on the horizon. The sun is obscured by light clouds. What a great light! We are standing on Lummenfelsen near the Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus). The conditions are beautiful. With a wonderfully diffuse light you could take pictures all… Continue reading Northern Gannets and other seabirds on Heligoland

King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise sings his song up in Tari Gap

The male King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise (Pteridophora alberti) performs his courtship song from a high point of view, from the bushy crown of a giant tree. It is actually the perfect habitat for a King-of-Saxony Bird-of-paradise. The King-of-Saxony Bird-of-paradise impresses with two long feathers on the head, which he can be moved to courtship with… Continue reading King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise sings his song up in Tari Gap

Swimming and Birding in Amphoe Khlong Thom/ Thailand

Suddenly there is something beautifully bright orange in front of me in the bamboo thicket. It’s the Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrina). What a beauty! I hadn’t expected that at bird all. The Orange-headed Thrush can be found in India, in the Himalayan region to southern China, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand and Indochina and on some islands… Continue reading Swimming and Birding in Amphoe Khlong Thom/ Thailand

Marshall’s Iora in Sri Lanka

Marshall’s Iora (Aegithina nigrolutea) – recently called White-tailed Iora – is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent, where it prefers lowland thorn scrub and tree groves. It is closely related to the Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia) and the two were previously considered conspecific. In Sri Lanka I had the opportunity to observe a male neaer the… Continue reading Marshall’s Iora in Sri Lanka

Magnificent Bird-of-paradise in the rainforest

Heavy rains during the last night made the path through the steep slopes of the rainforest almost impassable. Again and again I sink up to my knees in the mud while I try to follow my guide, who is carrying my luggage and using his machete to help us through the thicket of lianas and… Continue reading Magnificent Bird-of-paradise in the rainforest

Gurney’s Pitta at Khao Pra Bang Khram Park in southern Thailand

I wake up in the middle of the night to the heavy pounding of rain falling on the tin roof. It takes a good 1 hour before I can go back to sleep. Then I remember: the reason to come to Khao Pra Bang Khram Park (formerly Khao Nor Chu Chi) is the chance to… Continue reading Gurney’s Pitta at Khao Pra Bang Khram Park in southern Thailand

Anhingas in Florida

The ditch along the visitor’s trail is teeming with fish. Suddenly a sharp, dart-like beak emerges out of the water right in front of us. It is followed by a long piece of neck. Like a snake, Anhingas – the snakebird – (Anhinga anhinga) glides silently through the water. Its water-permeable plumage reduces the buoyancy… Continue reading Anhingas in Florida

Spectacled Duck in Tierra del Fuego / Patagonia

I slept poorly in the cold. When the alarm clock rings I am still very sleepy. But the prospect of an extraordinary rafting experience makes me get up. By the time I have done everything, dawn has already begun. First I have to make myself really cold-proof. Fleece underwear, fleece shirt, a shirt, the blue… Continue reading Spectacled Duck in Tierra del Fuego / Patagonia

Birding in the Marañon valley

The Spot-throated Hummingbird (Leucippus taczanowski) is one of the (almost) endemic birds in the Marañon valley and one of the top finds for an excursion in this remote  northeastern part of Peru. The of the Hummingbird´s underparts are cream or very light gray and there are small glittering spots on the chest and throat. The… Continue reading Birding in the Marañon valley

Extremadura, a paradise for birders

The steppes and extensive dehesas of Caceres and Trujillo are famous for their steppe bird life. Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus), Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax), Great Bustard (Otis tarda), Eurasian Thick-knee (Burhinus oedicnemus), Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata), Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis), Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyana) and Calandra Lark… Continue reading Extremadura, a paradise for birders

Photographing birds on the Shetland island Foula

A barely inhabited island, rugged cliffs, changing light moods and unusual species of animals: this is how the Shetland island of Foula presents itself. A terrain made for nature photographers. As long as the wind does not blow the equipment or the showers from the sea put everything under water. When I visited the Shetland… Continue reading Photographing birds on the Shetland island Foula