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
Tag: Manx Shearwater
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
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
Test of Canon RF 200-800mm f6.3-9 IS USM for photography of Pelagic Birds of the Atlantic Part II
Now the experiences with the Canon RF 200-800mm f6.3-9 IS USM. I have to say I was pretty impressed after the first shots. If the camera could catch the bird, the reliabiltity of tracking the eyes with the autofocus was excellent. There the Canon EOS R5 Mark II could beat it predecessor. Image quality, autofocus… Continue reading Test of Canon RF 200-800mm f6.3-9 IS USM for photography of Pelagic Birds of the Atlantic Part II
Test of Canon RF 200-800mm f6.3-9 IS USM for photography of Pelagic Birds of the Atlantic
For Seabird Photography I personally have been using a consistent set-up for the last years. This includes the professional flagship Canon “sports & journalism” camera recently the EOS 1 D X Mark III with a Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM lens. This in most cases without a teleconverter (TC). If using a teleconverter,… Continue reading Test of Canon RF 200-800mm f6.3-9 IS USM for photography of Pelagic Birds of the Atlantic
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
Hochseevögel im Herbst auf Helgoland
Gestern ist ein Dunkler Sturmtaucher gesichtet worden und in den Tagen vorher gab es einen Balearensturmtaucher zu sehen. Während der Eissturmvogel (Fulmarus glacialis) in wenigen Paaren auf Helgoland brütet, kommen Gelbschnabel-Sturmtaucher (Calonectris diomedea) bzw. Sepiasturmtaucher, Kappen-Sturmtaucher (Puffinus gravis), Dunkler Sturmtaucher (Puffinus griseus), Schwarzschnabel-Sturmtaucher (Puffinus puffinus) bzw. Atlantiksturmtaucher, Balearensturmtaucher (Puffinus mauretanicus) und Sturmschwalben (Hydrobates pelagicus) und… Continue reading Hochseevögel im Herbst auf Helgoland
Black-capped Petrel in the western Palearctic
A report of a Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata) from the Northern Sea, maybe Heligoland, would be the Mega of the year. Even better, than the Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) which spend several weeks around the sea bird colony along the red cliffs on this sole off-shore island of Germany. In general observations of pelagic or… Continue reading Black-capped Petrel in the western Palearctic
Pelagic specialities on Bird-Lens
On the western edge of the western palearctic pelagic birds are living and migrating. To see them, Bird-lens.com managed several trips already to Portugal and the Canary Islands. Now migrating seabirds with a more northern circle of migration could be observed on several pelagic trips with Joe Pender on his boat “Sapphire” off-shore the Isles… Continue reading Pelagic specialities on Bird-Lens
Pelagic Birds in the Western Palearctic
Pelagic or oceanic birds, seabirds or marine birds all describe bird which spend a significant portion of its life on the open ocean, rarely venturing to land except to breed. Their flight is often described as elegant and beautiful. This is particulary true for the Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris), as you can see on the image… Continue reading Pelagic Birds in the Western Palearctic